The Lakers have recently been linked to a number of center targets that would possibly supplant Marc Gasol at the five.
The club is hoping Andre Drummond and the Cavs agree to a buyout, though that isn’t Los Angeles’ only play. The organization continues to monitor the status of Hassan Whiteside, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The Kings haven’t given Whiteside, who’s on a one-year, minimum-salary deal, much of a consistent role this year, and the big man is surely available in trade talks.
Los Angeles continues to play with a thin frontcourt. Gasol, who is sporting a career-low 11.2 player efficiency rating this season, is sidelined because of COVID-19 protocols and Haynes hears that Anthony Davis could miss more time than expected (there were reports this weekend that the former No. 1 overall pick would be re-evaluated in two weeks). The Lakers are being extremely cautious with AD and he could be out for three additional weeks or more.
Adding another big man will help the Lakers in their quest to repeat as champs. LeBron James‘ club currently sits behind the Jazz and Suns for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
More NBA Trade Rumors
- We haven’t heard much Eric Bledsoe chatter lately, though according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Pelicans guard is still “very available.” New Orleans is also said to be listening to offers for J.J. Redick.
- Buddy Hield‘s contract makes him likely to stay in Sacramento, Amick writes in the same piece. The Kings are pivoting into seller mode and while Hield and Harrison Barnes (unlikely to be moved unless the franchise receives a “significant” offer) should stay put, other players such as Nemanja Bjelica and Richaun Holmes could find themselves on new teams after the deadline.
- Mark Cuban says the Mavs won’t make a trade ahead of the deadline unless it’s for a star. “Unless it’s a game-changing star, I don’t see us doing anything at all,” Cuban said on the Mavs Step Back Podcast. “So, if someone decides they’re blowing it up, OK, we’ll talk to anybody about any great player. If it’s just ‘We’ll trade this guy for that guy’ and it’s not really going to move the needle, I’d rather go with continuity.”
- ICYMI: The Clippers are among the teams with interest in George Hill. Hill remains out of the lineup with a thumb injury, though OKC is open to dealing the veteran guard.
More at FortyEightMinutes
- Cavs continue to eye Andre Drummond trade
- Celtics linked to Hawks’ Collins, Kings’ Barnes, Spurs’ Aldridge
- Blazers, Wolves expressing interest in Magic’s Aaron Gordon
- NBA Trade Rumors: Dieng, Ellington, Hawks, Drummond
