Frank Vogel not giving up on Lakers' season

Frank Vogel hasn't given up on this Lakers team just yet.

Vogel expressed optimism Wednesday that his squad can still turn things around and make a playoff run if the chips fall in their favor. Los Angeles currently sits at 27-34, good for ninth in the Western Conference.

"If [Anthony Davis] is able to come back and we catch the right matchup or catch a team at the right time and if we’re able to catch fire at the right time, we’re going to have a chance," Vogel said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Vogel's third season with the Lakers has been a tumultuous one. They've experienced significant ups and downs, injury concerns and pressure -- both internal and external -- to mix things up.

That being said, there's still time to figure things out. Getting Davis back will be the first step, as Vogel points out, but his return is reported to still be around four weeks away. Davis has been out since mid-February with a foot sprain.

Until then, LeBron James will have to lead the way himself. He's done an admirable job thus far, but it hasn't led to the results the team needs. The Lakers are 0-3 since the All-Star Break. Still, James is confident.

"We still have games to play," James said Tuesday. "Until you stomp me out, cut my head off, bury me 12 feet under, then I got a chance. So that's my confidence."

The front office is doing its part to try and inject some life into the supporting cast, as the team waived DeAndre Jordan earlier this week and signed veteran guard DJ Augustin.

They'll put their new rotation to the test Thursday against the Clippers, who they trail by 4.5 games in the play-in picture. The Lakers sit nine games back of the sixth-place Nuggets, who hold the final non-play-in spot.