The Los Angeles Lakers are 17-15 after 32 games and seem well-positioned to make some big moves ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Coming into the year, L.A. was viewed as a potential title contender. Thus far, they haven’t quite looked the part.
That said, they are one of four frontrunners for Zach LaVine, one of two teams in the hunt for Dejounte Murray and one of three squads in the hunt for Trae Young.
In addition to those potential blockbusters, Los Angeles is also willing to make moves along the edges.
Specifically, the Lakers’ front office covets two notable names on the Brooklyn Nets.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Rob Pelinka seems to have his eye on two particular role players: Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith.
“Those are two guys the Lakers have had interest in dating back to last offseason and even last trade deadline,” Buha said.
“I know that those are two guys they would have an interest in bringing in.”
Finney-Smith is averaging 10.5 points per game this season on 47 percent shooting from the field and 44.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
O’Neale is putting up 7.8 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 38.4 percent shooting from three.
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While those two names obviously aren’t in the same stratosphere as LaVine, Murray and Young in terms of star power – they could still be deeply impactful.
And last year’s moves ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline proved that reconfiguring role players could have a massive impact on Los Angeles’ playoff fortunes.
Will the Lakers ultimately be able to get something done with the Nets ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
