As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to scuttle through the season, future personnel moves have once again risen to the forefront of discussions.
The latest round of rumors are centered around two players many Laker fans have been clamoring for quite some time — Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Minnesota’s Kevin Love — and a relatively new name, Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe.
According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, Irving has privately been telling those around him that he wants out of Cleveland. While the Lakers likely don’t have enough pieces to currently entice the Cavaliers to trade their All-Star point guard, Irving’s contract runs through the 2014-2015 season and how Dan Gilbert will handle the matter is something to keep an eye on.
As for Love, who many have essentially considered a lock to join the Lakers once his contract allows, ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports one general manager told him Love joining the Lakers is a “100 percent certainty.” Love will be a free agent in 2015.
There is the possibility the Lakers address the point guard position prior to any potential trade talks with the Cavaliers. Broussard also reports the Lakers may make a substantial offer to Bledsoe, who is set to become a restricted free agent following the 2013-2014 season.
On the injury front, Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar and Steve Nash all returned to practice on Thursday. Each have been ruled out for Friday’s game, with Nash potentially returning on Tuesday.
Pau Gasol was held out of practice due to a groin injury but is listed as probable for Friday.
Lakers Nation News
Steve Nash: ‘It’s The Hardest Thing I Ever Had To Deal With’
VIDEOS: Lakers Point Guards Are Finally Back At Practice
Lakers News: Phil Jackson Believes Lakers Overpaid Kobe On Extension
Magic Johnson’s Criticism Of The Lakers Has Gone From Constructive To Destructive
2014 NBA All-Star Weekend: Jodie Meeks Wants To Be In 3-Point Shootout
Lakers Injury Update: Blake, Farmar, Nash All Ruled Out Tomorrow
Lakers Draft News: Team Inquiring About Austrailian PG Dante Exum
NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving Privately Trying To Get Out Of Cleveland?
Lakers Rumors: Lakers Willing To Overpay To Sign Eric Bledsoe?
Lakers Trade Rumors: Kevin Love “100 Percent” Will Join Lakers
Lakers News: Team’s Television Ratings Down 37.5 Percent
NBA News
Evolution Of Game A Giant Problem? — ESPN
David Stern On 30-Year Tenure: ‘We’ve Navigated Opportunities’ — Sports Illustrated
Who’s Hot In Trade Talks? — HoopsHype
Woodson: ‘Melo Was Built For New York’ — Basketball Insiders