The LA Lakers are going through another tough season and as the trade deadline gets closer, names like Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill could be targets to get traded and in the future, Los Angeles may consider moves to get Goran Dragic, Lance Stephenson, Jose Calderon, Reggie Jackson, Michael Carter-Williams or Tyler Ennis as they try and build a contending team for Kobe Bryant this summer.
The Lakers know they have a limited window for Bryant while he still can play at a high level and after missing the rest of this season with a shoulder injury, they will try and retool things this summer. The original plan was to target Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love this summer with major money after clearing out the salary cap, but those players are not expected to move. Rondo was traded to the Mavs and could re-sign there, while Love may not opt out after being traded to Cleveland.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers may have over $50 million in cap space this summer and that means they have the chance to bring in multiple top name players. Some of the top free agent names that could be on the market include LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Zach Randolph, Reggie Jackson, Iman Shumpert and Greg Monroe. The Lakers reportedly want Gasol the most along with Rajon Rondo, but those two players may stay put along with Aldridge.
According to Gery Woelfel on Twitter, the Suns are looking for a first round pick in any deal with Dragic and a team like the Rockets could look at making a move. Dragic is expected to be a target for the Rockets, as he previously played for the team and they are looking to upgrade at point guard over Patrick Beverley. The Lakers also could look at Tyler Ennis, as the Suns have a ton of guards and could make a trade, while Lance Stephenson has been shopped by the Hornets this season. Jose Calderon is also a target, as the Knicks are looking to deal him ahead of the deadline, but it's tough since he had two years left on his deal.
Lin's money is coming off the books if he is not traded, as his contract will be up and that gives the Lakers more relief heading into the summer. Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Lakers would like to trade Lin, but that so far the market has not been hot for him and that likely has to do with the fact that his expiring contract is a high number. Bleacher Report reports that Lin will be a free agent target for the Houston Rockets and this comes after the team traded him to the Lakers last offseason.
The Lakers will likely not look at any big trades at the deadline, although they could consider adding Goran Dragic if the Suns lower their asking price. The team likely will wait to make major moves in free agency this summer and they also could look at trade deals in the offseason to make upgrades. Dragic has an option for next year and he likely will look at hitting the market. Dragic won most improved player last season and he has been mentioned quite a bit in trade speculation.
