The LA Lakers are in the middle of another tough season and they may start targeting trade deals to set up for the future, as names like Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings, Jose Calderon, Marc Gasol and Reggie Jackson could be options and this comes as the team may trade away Jeremy Lin, Steve Nash, Jordan Hill or Robert Sacre at the trade deadline for Kobe Bryant.
The team has looked into a number of trades despite the fact that they are last place in their division, as the Lakers realize that 2015 could be a major summer for player moves. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team checked in on Rajon Rondo before he was traded and also targeted Jeff Green and now reports from ESPN.com have the Lakers being very "active" looking at trades, including with Greg Monroe and/or Brandon Jennings from the Pistons.
Monroe is considered to be a top target heading into free agency in 2015 and reports have the Pistons asking for a number one pick to get a deal done. Pro Basketball Talk reported earlier in the season before Josh Smith was waived that Jennings and Monroe were options on the trade market. The Lakers are planning on making a run at Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol next summer and they also need a pint guard. Jeremy Lin is about to be a free agent and while the team likes Goran Dragic, he may sign back with the Suns or a team like the Rockets.
Without Dragic in the fold or Rondo - who still may hit the free agent market after his trade to the Mavericks-the Lakers may look at someone like Jennings as a potential option. Jennings and Monroe are likely to get targeted by teams as the deadline gets closer and after the Lakers missed out on Dion Waiters as well, the team could look at Monroe and/or Jennings as potential trades to help Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers are in the middle of a terrible two seasons stretch and the franchise realizes that Kobe Bryant may only have one or two years left playing at a high level. The team is hoping for a fast turnaround and making moves now or in the summer of 2015 could get that done. The Lakers expected Kevin Love to be on the market before his trade to the Cavs and while he is likely to stay in Cleveland, reports have him gearing up to get a new contract as well. The Lakers will have money to spend and have been linked to Love for a long time, but he likely will remain with LeBron James over the next few years.
Ramona Shelburne reported on Twitter that the Lakers have been "working the phones" and that Monroe has been a target for the team heading towards the trade deadline. Jennings is under contract for $8,344,497 next season and that is a solid price for the Lakers and they could try and use Jennings next summer to help lure free agents. Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Lakers likely will not make these trades, as they could go after Monroe in free agency, but clearly LA is trying to improve a bit as the 2015 season wears on.