As the trade season goes down to its final week, the Los Angeles Lakers will amp up its effort to land one of their trade targets before the window expired on February 19. However, it is still unknown how much the Lakers brain-trusts are willing to surrender for a shot at an All-Star caliber talent they have been craving for.
In the midst of another disappointing year, the Lakers are expected to make aggressive moves on the trading front in the coming days heading into next Thursday's trade deadline.
Lakers have reportedly made multiple attempts to acquire high-profile players (Brandon Jennings, Greg Monroe, Brook Lopez and Rajon Rondo) via trade for the past few weeks, but their inability to present an enticing trade offer has been a major roadblock for the franchise.
Deprived of an up-and-coming player who could turn into an enticing trade prospect, the Lakers are pinning their hopes on Jordan Hill, Jeremy Lin and even Steve Nash's $10M expiring contract, although it's very unlikely they can sell these 'assets' for a veteran star or a young talent with promising upside.
Sporting News NBA insider Sean Deveney stated in his recent report that Lin and Hill are the two best trade assets the Lakers currently own. Between the two, Hill is drawing more interest not only because of his improved play but his cap-friendly $9M team option for next season.
"Early in the year, interested teams were told that Hill would not be available. That has not stopped the interest in Hill, who is averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds, and can potentially be a free agent next summer because he has a team option in his contract. Hill is out with a quad injury and may not play until the deadline hits, but interest in him will remain high," Deveney opined.
Still, trading Hill alone won't be enough for the Lakers to get their desired player. Perhaps, if they are only willing to sacrifice either of their two first-round picks in the coming draft.
Taking Opportunity By the Horn
Thanks to an offseason trade with the Houston Rockets involving Jeremy Lin, the Lakers have another first-round pick aside from their unguaranteed lottery pick (the Suns will acquire the pick if the Lakers ended the season outside the bottom five).
With the Western Conference decimated by injuries as of late, it's the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to capitalize and that could be done by packaging Hill with the Rockets first-rounder for the likes of Reggie Jackson of OKC Thunder, Brook Lopez of Brooklyn Nets or even Goran Dragic, whom the Suns are willing to trade in exchange for a first round pick. Of course, the Lakers will have a slew of competitors for the service of these players, but nonetheless the pick will come handy for them as far as offering a competitive trade package is concerned.
As for the top-5 pick, the Lakers will obviously keep it unless offered with a can't miss player. Still, it's very likely they would try to use the lottery pick as a trade chip for an established star during the Draft instead of selecting an unpolished prospect.
NBA legend Magic Johnson believes this coming summer will be critical for the Lakers as an organization. One great decision could swing the fortunes back to the purple-and-gold, while another botched maneuver could lead to more years of disappointments - a proof the Lakers' future depends on their two first-round picks this June.
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