As the NBA trade period officially begins this week, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be uninterested in making any move despite their obvious need of talents.
However, sources close to situation indicated that general manager Mitch Kupchack might eventually pull off a deal in the coming weeks with Jordan Hill and Jeremy Lin likely on the move.
Basketball Insiders writer Jabari Davis included the Lakers among Western Conference teams expected to make aggressive moves on the trading front between now and February 19 trade deadline.
Hill, who is averaging 12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.0 block per game this season, has already drawn enormous trade interests because of his strong production as of late. The Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and even the Los Angeles Clippers are considered potential suitors for the 6-foot-10 bigman, who has a team option worth $10M for next season.
"Any number of teams with playoff and title aspirations (Cavaliers, Clippers, Suns, etc.) could inquire about Hill's services before the deadline if he continues producing at this level," according to Davis.
Another possible option for the Lakers is getting rid of Jeremy Lin's $8M expiring contract. The 26-year old Lin served as the Lakers starting point guard for the first month of the season, averaging at least 11 points and 5 assists per game. But inconsistency and lapses on the defensive end forced head coach Byron Scott to pull him out of the starting five in favor of a better defensive player in Ronnie Price.
While Lin's erratic play is certainly discouraging, there are few teams willing to gamble on the former New York Knicks sensation. Teams running a fast-paced offense and more pick-and-roll plays like Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns could make a run at Lin.
Then, there is Nash's expiring contract worth roughly $9M. The former two-time NBA MVP has already been sidelined for the remainder of the season with a back injury, but his huge expiring deal could still be in play in trade talks, particularly for teams looking for some financial relief.
Although the Lakers' playoff hope is slowly diminishing each passing game, Davis believes there's still a need to add an All-Star caliber talent or a promising young player to make the roster attractive for free-agents next summer.
"The Lakers are a team in need of either upgrades and/or depth at every position, so regardless of their previously reported desire to maintain their own flexibility, at some point you have to be willing to bring in additional talent to make your existing roster more desirable for potential free agents around the league," Davis stated.
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