The Los Angeles Lakers continue their search for a backup point guard as the team is set to meet with 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose on Thursday, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne.

The Lakers are planning to start its second overall pick of this year's NBA draft Lonzo Ball at the point guard spot while the 19-year-old's backup remains a mystery, at least for now.

Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson revealed on Wednesday that the list has narrowed to ''five or six candidates.'' The names of Tyler Ennis and Ian Clark have been specifically mentioned, sources said to Mark Medina of the Orange Count Register.

Rose, who has had a couple of injury-plagued seasons in recent years, averaged 18 Points Per Game on 47.1 field goal percentage in 64 games played for the New York Knicks last season. The 28-year-old stayed healthy for the most part of the season that was a positive sign going forward.

The competition

The Los Angeles Lakers are not the only team interested in Derrick Rose services as ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported earlier on Thursday that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the guard are in ''serious talk.'' However, as Shelbourne noted, the Purple and Gold are hoping to use their positive vibe and culture change, implemented by President Johnson and General Manager Rob Pelinka, to sell Rose on moving to California.

Cleveland could offer the guard a better chance of winning a championship while the Lakers more playing time.

Blue eyeing to sign an NBA contract

Member of the 2017 championship Los Angeles Lakers Las Vegas Summer League team, Vander Blue, is as eager as anyone to make an NBA roster for the next season but admits that staying in L.A.

remains his biggest desire.

''I'm going to let my work speak for itself,'' Blue said, per Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll. ''I pray to God [my opportunity is] here with the Lakers, but we'll see what happens in the next couple of days.''

Blue, a Marquette product who went undrafted in 2013, has been giving his best efforts since to prove his abilities to NBA teams.

The guard got a brief chance to wear the Purple and Gold in 2015 -- appearing in two games for the Lakers before he was sent back to the G League. The 25-year-old spent last season in the G League (former D-League) playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders (now known as South Bay Lakers), where he had won the league's final MVP award.

Blue was a key part in Lakers' winning run in Las Vegas, averaging 15 points on 50.0 field goal percentage in eight games played, reveals Real GM. As the main attention was on Lakers rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, Blue's notable performances helped him stood out of the shadow, as he now hopes to be given another shot in the NBA.

Blue, who averaged 11 points per game in two games played for the Lakers, also wore a Boston Celtics jersey three times during the 2013/2014 season.