The LA Lakers may target Rajon Rondo, Brook Lopez or Deron Williams as trade options to give Kobe Bryant some support and this comes as Goran Dragic and Rondo are set to hit the market as free agents, while Los Angeles also may look at trades involving Jeremy Lin, Steve Nash, Carlos Boozer or Ed Davis as the trading deadline gets closer.
The Lakers have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season and they are heading towards another draft lottery over returning to the postseason. The Lakers are expected to be big players in free agency next summer and while trade deals may be options for the team now, it's likely they will wait until 2015 to make major moves. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers are planning on targeting Rondo as their priority free agent next summer, while Dragic is a backup option if Rondo stays in Boston or signs elsewhere.
Pro Basketball Talk reports that Rondo will be the main target for the team next summer and they also may look at a trade with Deron Williams if that doesn't work out. Lopez and Williams have been put on the trade block for the Nets and while a deal is unlikely right now, down the line teams like the Lakers could look at making a major move. After benching Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin, the Lakers may look at moving those players, while Nash also could be valuable despite his injury, as he is on a near $10 million expiring contract.
The Lakers have not been good this season at all and while many expected the team to struggle, many felt that they would at least contend for a .500 record. Magic Johnson said that the team should just tank to get a top draft pick and while that is a good move long term, Kobe Bryant is getting older and needs help now to turn things around. Bryant likely has two or three decent years left and that is the window for the Lakers to try and contend.
The team won over the Kings and now plays the Spurs next before a matchup with the Wolves and they are now 6-16 on the season. The Knicks right now are actually worse than the Lakers and while LA may put off making trades or big moves until next summer, they are set up pretty well to do that. The team has numerous contracts coming off of the books and the Lakers luster still shines for many players and that could help woo some to Los Angeles.
The team went after Carmelo Anthony this summer and while that didn't work out, it showed LA is making an effort and they will continue that next summer. The team obviously hoped that Kevin Love would be on the market and while he may opt out of his deal with Cleveland, he is likely to stay there. The Knicks and Celtics will be going hard after Rajon Rondo as well and that will be the biggest challenge for the Lakers as they try and add a top point guard.