The LA Lakers have had a tough season and with the trade deadline coming up, names like Goran Dragic, Marc Gasol, Deron Williams or Brandon Jennings could be targets for the team if they decide to sell for Kobe Bryant, as players like Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin, Robert Sacre or Jordan Hill could be traded as Los Angeles tries to set up for free agency in 2015.
The Lakers have been one of the worst teams in the league this season and that is why many think that they will be major sellers at the deadline. The team has an aging Kobe Bryant with a couple good years left and they have dealt with numerous injuries, including to rookie Julius Randle. According to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Lakers have contacted the Suns about a potential trade for Dragic and this comes after the team also inquired about Rajon Rondo. The Lakers were interested in trading for Rondo, but would only give the Celtics a package with Steve Nash and a lower draft pick than they were looking for.
The Lakers reportedly are interested in Rondo and Marc Gasol in free agency next summer and even through Rondo was traded to the Mavs already, they ar expected to go after him. Rondo has said that he plans on hitting the market, although he said that Dallas has the advantage at signing him since he was traded there and they gave up players and picks for him. That won't stop the Lakers from at least trying and the Knicks are also a team that could be interested in both Rondo and Gasol on the market.
The Lakers want a major upgrade at point guard over Jeremy Lin and since he has an expiring contract, he could be a target for teams at the deadline this year. Nash is out with an injury, but he also has an expiring deal and could be attractive for those same reasons. The Lakers likely will not go for a major deal this season, as they are a mess right now and feel that next year they can bounce back with some free agent moves. Gasol, Rondo and Goran Dragic are all expected to be available on the market and if the Lakers can't get Rondo, they may go hard after Dragic. The team also has potential trade options in Brandon Jennings and Deron Williams, as both the Pistons and the Nets could look at making moves in the offseason.
The Lakers looked into a Rondo trade and offered Nash along with Jordan Hill and draft picks for Rondo and Jeff Green, but the Celtics felt the deal was not enough. Dragic is going to be a main target and Pro Basketball Talk reports that he plans on having an "open" free agency. Dragic will be favored to stay in Phoenix, but the team already has Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe and that could lead to him signing elsewhere, including in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are 11-23 this season, which makes them very bad, but not terrible like the Knicks and Pistons are. The team has struggled on defense and they come in ranked 29th in points allowed, although they are ranked 10th in scoring. Byron Scott is in as head coach for the next stretch and he is hoping for a bounce back season in 2015-16.
