Every single season, the Los Angeles Lakers are mentioned in numerous trade rumors with speculation galore surrounding the team’s intentions heading toward the NBA trade deadline.
Although GM Mitch Kupchak has hinted at the team waiting until the off-season to make changes, the Lakers could still make a move or two. The deadline is rapidly approaching with teams in the league having until 3:00 PM EST on Feb. 19 to make deals and there’s been some talk of the Lakers potentially being active.
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One player the Lakers could try to acquire is Goran Dragic of the division rival Phoenix Suns. Dragic is one of three quality point guards on the Suns and the only one set to be a free agent when he opts out of his deal with Phoenix this summer.
If the Suns believe Dragic will go elsewhere in free agency or are content with only Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix might start fielding offers for the 28-year-old.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, Los Angeles has been mentioned as a potential destination for Dragic in a deal, but the team might not have the assets to acquire him before the deadline:
While there has been nothing serious in terms of deals that have been close, as the Suns’ hold on a playoff spot in the West slips away, there is a sense that they’ll need to pull the trigger on something that can bring in the kind of perimeter-shooting big man they lost when Channing Frye left in free agency. Gerald Green (a free agent) is a trade possibility, but Dragic (also a free agent) would net a better return. The Lakers have wanted Dragic all year, but don’t have much to offer.
With Jordan Hill, arguably the Lakers’ best trade chip, on the shelf for the next two weeks due to a hip injury, Los Angeles might not be able to pull off a deal for Dragic before the deadline. There’s no question the Suns will get calls from teams around the league about Dragic’s availability, but the Lakers’ offer, whatever it might be, likely won’t be enough.
As of right now, Dragic and Rajon Rondo seem to be the team’s best options to upgrade the point guard position moving forward. Both players will likely be unrestricted free agents this summer with the Lakers bound to show considerable interest.
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