The LA Lakers could be interested in a Ty Lawson trade this offseason to put a veteran alongside Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell and this comes as the young players may work out with Steve Nash in Los Angeles, while the Lakers could add a front line player like JaVale McGee or Kevin Seraphin to add depth behind Roy Hibbert, Julius Randle and Brandon Bass.
The Lakers have liked how Clarkson and Russell have looked in the Summer League, but both point guards admitted they need improvement. Russell said he is working on getting up to the speed of the pro game and now the two guards could get some advice from a future Hall of Famer. According to Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, Clarkson is "planning on future workouts" with Nash and he added that he "believes" Russell also "will be included" when it happens.
Clarkson was a surprise last season and made the All-Rookie team, while Russell was taken with the number two overall pick in the draft. Lawson could be a potential target if the Nuggets trade the point guard, as Chris Mannix at Sports Illustrated reports that the Lakers could have interest. Mannix reports that Los Angeles, the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets are interested in Lawson.
Check here for more on the Lakers potential interest in Ty Lawson from Chris Mannix, and for more on the workouts with Nash for Clarkson and Russell.
UPDATE: Ty Lawson has been traded to the Houston Rockets.
The LA Lakers had a terrible season last year and with Byron Scott coming back as head coach, the team is looking to improve in all facets heading out of the summer league. Adding Lawson would bring some veteran experience into things at point guard and the team could look at free agency for some more depth as well. The team could use some reserve front line help and there are solid free agent options still available, including JaVale McGee, Kevin Seraphin, Samuel Dalembert and Carlos Boozer.
Boozer likely will not return and he remains on the market after Los Angeles picked him up after the Bulls hit him with the amnesty clause. Boozer was making over $16 million in Chicago so they had no choice but to cut him loose after playing 28 minutes over game, but his averages of 13 points and eight rebounds was right in line with his $3 million salary with the Lakers. Boozers will likely be on a minimum deal, but he played well last season for the Lakers and could be productive.
The Lakers have made some solid moves this offseason and they still have moves they could make, including a trade with Nick Young, Ryan Kelly or Robert Sacre. The team added Hibbert in a trade and signed Lou Williams to a three year deal and that is why Young could be expendable. The team added Brandon Bass as a free agent and Clarkson is back after a solid rookie season. Los Angeles also kept drafted Larry Nance and could bring in Robert Upshaw after a solid summer league showing.
