LA Lakers Rumors: Nick Young, Lou Williams, Brandon Bass Shopped in Trades as Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan Eyed After Kobe Bryant Out?

Jan 11, 2016 04:31 PM EST
Nick Young
Los Angeles Lakers star Nick Young pauses during play in a 2015 home game."

The Los Angeles Lakers have their eyes on the future. The team has young players already in place to take over the team following the departure of Kobe Bryant, but they will be aiming for a few big names to help the cause. At this moment, very few people can be considered safe from trades on a team like the Lakers, but general manager Mitch Kupchak is doubtful of any blockbuster deals.

With young stars in the making like D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson on the roster, the Lakers are not in need of youth any more, but already-established stars that can help lead in 2016. Nobody outside of those three players and Bryant can be considered safe from trades, but just how big those trades are is the question. According to Kubchak, little trade moves might be made, but he does not foresee a blockbuster deal coming to the Lakers.

"I suspect that there will be more activity going forward, but I wouldn't suspect a blockbuster deal," Kupchak said, via SilverScreenandRoll.com. "There was a flurry of phone calls a couple of weeks ago, most of which i initiated. We have to be careful with what we do. Most of the teams that would have interest in our players would have interest in our young players and we covet our young players pretty highly right now. So it would be tough for us to move a young player."

If the Lakers are going to make a trade, Nick Young is the first name that could pop up on the radar. The swing man has faced a lot of talk about his future lately. The issue is the player is signed through the 2018 season as he is set to earn just over $5 million the next two seasons. Lou Williams would then come into player along with Brandon Bass and Robert Sacre as all three could get the Lakers something good in return.

The Lakers plan on chasing big names in the offseason. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are hopeful they can sell a young roster to Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder star likes Los Angeles, but has yet to say what his free agency plans are this upcoming offseason. The same can be said for DeMar DeRozan with the Toronto Raptors. DeRozan is expected to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors in the offseason and could look to join the team in his hometown.

For now the Lakers will continue to try and develop players like Russell, Randle and Clarkson who are poised to take over the team next season. The Lakers will want a big name in place next year to try and replace the leadership of Bryant. If that trio excels in the second half of the season, Los Angeles could be an ideal landing spot.

Get the Most Popular Stories in a Weekly Newsletter
© 2015 Sportsworldreport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
  • Get Connected
  • Share
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • @sportswr
  • Recommend on Google
Real Time Analytics