The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on the offseason. The team is not going to contend for a playoff spot on the Western Conference, so all they can do right now is develop their young talent and aim for a solid lottery spot in the NBA Draft. The Lakers' current roster is made up of veterans on expendable contracts, youth and Kobe Bryant. As a result, they will have plenty of cap space and assets to use in moves as the team plans on chasing big names in the offseason.
According to ESPN Insider Kevin Porter, DeMarcus Cousins will be a huge target for the Lakers likely via a trade. At this moment, Cousins is not for sale with the Sacramento Kings. That will not change at the trade deadline, but anything could happen in the offseason as the Kings always seem to be on the verge of trading away the franchise star. Pelton reports that the Lakers are expected to at least explore the option which could cost them one of their younger players in a deal.
Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson are two names that continue to pop up in trade talk. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle reported the Lakers could explore trading someone like Randle for a player like DeMar DeRozan. According to ESPN, DeRozan will be a top priority come free agency. Many believe the Toronto Raptors star will opt out of his current contract and the Lakers can offer him a max deal in return. It is unclear why Randle continues to be a centerpiece in trade talks considering he is a great low post player with a huge ceiling to improve. But, if the Lakers are willing to move Randle for DeRozan, they could also do the same for Cousins.
These trades are merely speculation as rumors fly this time of year. General manager Mitch Kupchak told the Los Angeles Daily News that he has received calls about trade deals, but everyone wants to pluck one of the younger players from the roster and right now the Lakers are not selling them. Instead, the team is trying to find trade deals for players like Roy Hibbert and Nick Young.
According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com, the Lakers are shopping both Hibbert and Young at the deadline. Hibbert is on an expiring contract and could be a nice piece for a contending team while Young has poor stats and too much money owed to him to draw much interest. Brandon Bass could also be an expendable player at the right price. The Lakers have no intentions of dealing away Randle, Clarkson or D'Angelo Russell. Instead they are banking on the young core group to develop and lead next season.
