The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to figure out exactly what direction to take their season as the playoffs are slightly out of reach at this point in the year. With Kobe Bryant entering the final year of his contract and likely the final year of his career, the Lakers want to try and acquire as much talent as possible to make a serious run in 2015. That process could start now prior to the NBA trade deadline as the Lakers are making calls regarding certain positions.
Los Angeles has a lofty list of free agents they are eyeing for the summer after the team regains plenty of salary cap space. Part of that plan fell off course when Rajon Rondo was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Dallas Mavericks. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers tried to make a last-minute call to acquire the point guard, but the deal ultimately fell through. The Lakers are still in the mix for a few deadline deals which could see their roster changing after the All-Star break.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers are looking at trade options before the deadline, interested in acquiring players that they can build for the future. That includes players like Brandon Jennings, Goran Dragic and Greg Monroe. Jennings has a deal with the Detroit Pistons, but Dragic and Monroe will be free agents in the coming offseason. The issue for the Lakers is the lack of assets the team can trade for help.
At this point, it would seem logical for the Lakers to try and trade a player like Jeremy Lin for someone like Brandon Jennings or Michael Carter-Williams, but his struggles this season have decreased his value more than ever. While his salary is high, the Lakers could have to pair another player with him to make a trade worth it. That could seem them lose someone like Jordan Hill or Robert Sacre as well.
The Lakers have depth at the point guard position that would make a trade of Lin easy on the roster. Ronnie Price and Jordan Clarkson are still on the roster if the Lakers try and acquire someone like Greg Monroe. However, interest in Lin is extremely low and the Lakers might simply get stuck with him for the remainder of the year. At this point is they want to make a trade, they will have to give up draft picks to do so which could hurt the rebuilding process when Bryant is gone.
