Los Angeles, California - LeBron James said it was a "duh" question when asked if Kyrie Irving's a player the Los Angeles Lakers should move for before the NBA trade deadline.

Irving has requested a trade away from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the deadline next week.

The eight-time All-Star did not play for the Nets on Saturday due to a calf issue, though his absence was not felt much in Brooklyn's 125-123 comeback win over the Washington Wizards.

James scored 27 points to edge closer to breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record, yet it was not enough to help the Lakers avoid a 126-131 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

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While the Lakers sit a lowly 13th in the Western Conference, with a 25-29 record for the season, they might still harbor hopes of a championship push.

In January, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said "there's no resource we'll hold onto" if an opportunity to win a championship was there.

For James, it is a no-brainer, though he emphasized it is not his call.

"That's a Rob question," James said when asked about possibly reuniting with Irving, whom he reached three NBA Finals with while at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"My mindset is whatever line-up or whatever group that we have is to make sure we prepare ourselves the best way we can to go out and win.

"Obviously, that's a – what's the word you use – [a] 'duh' question when you talk about a player that like that."

One player who could be used as a makeweight in a potential trade is Russell Westbrook.

2017 NBA MVP Westbrook had 15 points, four assists, and four rebounds from the bench on Saturday, though Darvin Ham did not call upon him in the final quarter.

There is plenty of speculation over his future, but asked if he was feeling extra pressure, Westbrook replied: "I do not," adding that such moves are "not up to me. Like I said, I've known this was a business since I was 18, 19 years old, since I got into it.

"My dad taught me that at that age, getting to this league is a business, and people make whatever decision they make, that's up to them.

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"I've been all in since day one. I'm very supportive of my teammates. I compete every night. I'll make sure I'm ready and professional like I always have been and always will be," Westbrook concluded.

James echoed the sentiment, adding: "It shouldn't be an issue. The trade deadline happens every single year.

As for making history, James could break the points record on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I just want to win, you know. You play the game the right way and see what happens," he said. "I'm tired as hell, [but] I'll be ready to go on Tuesday."