Lakers trades on the horizon?
Though Mitch Kupchak and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers organization have been adamant since the start of the 2016/2017 NBA season that they would not be trading any of the young Laker core, recent reports suggest that the tune may be changing as the NBA trade deadline nears. While NBA trade rumors are likely to heat up as the February 23rd deadline gets closer, the fact remains that the Lakers have been embroiled in NBA trade rumors, and trade talks since before this current season even started.
What's the latest in Lakers trades, news?
According to Silver Screen & Roll, both Head Coach Luke Walton and General Manager Mitch Kupchak are holding to the notion that they are not looking to trade away any of their young pieces, which include players like Point Guard D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Rookie Brandon Ingram. Still, the Lakers have a history of trades, many of which have come right before this very same trade deadline. In 2007, Mitch Kupchak made the deal to bring Pau Gasol over to the purple and gold, and that deal alone led the Lakers to back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. It certainly helped that at the time, those same Lakers still had Kobe Bryant in his prime, but, the point is that the Lakers are no stranger to making big moves.
While those moves don't always translate into wins or titles, in the case of Pau Gasol, it translated into both.
If the price is right for Lakers trades
It was reported recently that the Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in acquiring the services of Jose Calderon. While the veteran player doesn't put up much in terms of stats, he is serviceable, and could give the Cleveland Cavaliers a bit of a boon in terms of giving Kyrie Irving some much needed rest.
It seems that, overall, the Lakers would be open to this trade, and, at this time, it seems more probable than anything that would see the purple and gold part with the young players that they intend to build their future around.
Ultimately, we will know more as the February 23rd trade deadline gets closer. Still, it seems that there are a few fundamental questions that continue to plague the purple and gold as a whole.
They seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place of wanting to wheel and deal their young talent to get better in the present, and the desire to bide their time and build toward the future. One way or another, we will have an answer once this year's trade deadline has come and gone.
