The Los Angeles Lakers are always a much-discussed team ahead of every NBA Trade Deadline. This year is no exception.
With LA boasting a 26-28 mark and sitting ninth in the Western Conference, clearly there is a lot of room for improvement. But how does it happen? In order to improve, you must have assets that other squads want.
This group doesn’t. It’s not that the Lakers aren’t offering guys up to opposing teams. There just isn’t much in the way of interest.
During a recent appearance on “The NBA Chats” podcast with host Alen Ramic, Bleacher Report NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed five players that the Lakers are shopping.
“Listen, the Lakers are obviously not a great spot right now,” he said.
“And they’re looking. They’re trying. From DeAndre Jordan, to Dwight Howard, to the Kent Bazemores of the world, to trying to see what this Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and first-round pick package can get (they’re trying).
“I don’t know specific other frameworks that have been thrown out there, but the way it’s been described to me is they’ve just been calling teams and saying ‘hey, Talen Horton-Tucker, a first and Kendrick Nunn: What can that get us?’ I think that’s really where they’re at right now. I don’t think they’re going to use that to move Russ. That’s seemed unlikely all along. They’re using that pick as a way to upgrade, not as a way to get off Russ’ salary.”
No matter what happens, though – Fischer cast legitimate doubt over how substantive of a move LA can truly make right now.
“You can move Kent Bazemore, but how much are you really getting back?” he openely wondered.
“You can move DeAndre Jordan, but what are you really getting back? Like, could they move DeAndre or Dwight to Charlotte, who needs another big man, or Toronto, who needs another big man, or Milwaukee, who is looking for another big man? Sure.
“But what are they really getting back from those teams on another minimum salary that’s gonna dramatically move the needle for the Lakers? I don’t really know.”
Justin Herbert will do anything for his fans. https://t.co/YAZ5mDAlUS
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 8, 2022
Over the past few days the Lakers have been linked to one little trade and two ‘realistic’ role players. That’s it.
What will the team ultimately be able to pull off ahead of the deadline? Time will tell.
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