The Los Angeles Lakers had planned for their starting point guard rotation to begin with Steve Nash and end with Jeremy Lin. However, now it starts to Lin and ends with question marks. The Lakers are not getting Nash back. The point guard will likely be forced into retirement after another season-ending injury. Lin has created more frustrations then productivity one his expiring contract. As the Lakers pursue point guard replacements, can they afford to work a trade or resort to free agency?
The Lakers free agency plan took a different turn when Rajon Rondo was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles had plans to sign Rondo in free agency in the summer of 2015, but the deal changes that. The Boston Celtics opted to move quickly when it came to dealing the point guard after they realized Rondo had no intentions of re-signing. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Lakers made a move to try and acquire Rondo in a trade, but lacked the draft picks and assets to win over the Celtics.
With Rondo out of the picture, who could the Lakers target in a deal prior to the February deadline? The New York Knicks could potentially help the Lakers out. According to Stein and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, the Knicks are shopping Jose Calderon in their next move to rid the roster of all excess salary cap space in order to make a big run in free agency. Calderon is their next-best asset. The Knicks would ideally want to trade Amar'e Stoudemire, but there is no interest in a forward with chronic knee problems.
Calderon is considered one of the better trades on the market right now. The point guard is only averaging 9.3 points, but no one is excelling right now in the triangle offense. The issue is his two-year, $15.1 million contract still attached to his name which the Lakers might not be totally interested in. However, he would come cheap for Los Angeles as New York is desperate to move him.
Deron Williams could be available for the Lakers, but again he is a pricey acquisition. The Nets are desperate to rid themselves of his contract, but Los Angeles will not be sold on picking it up given the injuries Williams has suffered lately. Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson are also two other point guards likely available for the right price, but will not be as cheap as Calderon. Neither the Detroit Pistons nor the Oklahoma City Thunder are desperate to move either point guard, but will if Los Angeles comes with a solid offer.
