The Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks reportedly engaged in initial talks about swapping big men. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, per Rob Lopez of Def Pen Hoops, the Lakers have looked into possibilities of swapping their power forward Julius Randle for center Nerlens Noel of the Mavericks. However, Wojnarowski said nothing came out of the initial talks. A seventh overall pick by the Lakers in 2014, Randle was a starter in his past two seasons with the team, but his role was reduced in his fourth year with the entry of Larry Nance Jr.
and rookie Kyle Kuzma.
Randle has not started in 30 games this season and has played just 22.4 minutes per contest, from 28.8 minutes per game last season. Randle is averaging 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds this season. The 23-year-old Randle is in the final year of his rookie contract, while the Lakers are still mulling whether to extend a qualifying offer to him in the offseason. The Lakers are hoping to make enough salary cap space for next season to lure big-name free agents like LeBron James and Paul George.
Noel needs a change of scenery
A sixth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013, Noel joined the Mavericks when he was traded before the deadline last season. Noel signed a one-year deal with the Mavericks in February after he failed to attract a huge contract from the market, hoping that he could get a bigger role with the team.
However, things did not go as planned for Noel as he was limited to just 12.5 minutes per game in 18 outings this season with the Mavericks.
Noel is also expected to miss four to six weeks after he underwent surgery on his injured thumb. If healthy, Noel is a huge presence in the shaded lane, averaging 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals and 7.2 boards in his career.
This season, Noel is averaging 4.0 points and 4.1 boards per game. Noel could be a welcome addition to the Lakers, who are ranked 27th on defense. Los Angeles could be a change of scenery for Noel in case the Lakers and Mavericks revisit their initial talks before February’s trade deadline.
Lakers also want to trade Clarkson
Aside from Randle, the Lakers are also trying to trade guard Jordan Clarkson to help free up salary-cap space, according to Wojnarowski.
However, the Lakers will wait until the end of the season before trading Clarkson as he gives them their best chance of winning this year. Waiting until the end of the season will give the Lakers more time to gauge the market interest for Clarkson, who is scheduled to make around $26 million over the next two seasons. This season, Clarkson is averaging 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
