Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors, Lakers trade targets, Lakers trade idea, Lakers trade deadline, Lakers Klay Thompson trade rumors, Lakers Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, JJ Redick Naji Marshall, Anthony Davis
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The Los Angeles Lakers have struck out on nearly all of their targets ahead of the trade deadline, but rumors of one player could still work.
The Los Angeles Lakers have struck out on a number of their top targets ahead of the February 5th NBA trade deadline, and while thatshouldn’t rule out a move before then, the teamis relatively restricted on the moves they can make right now to bolster the roster.
DeAndre Hunter and Keon Elliswere already traded, Naji Marshall and Jonathan Kuminga appear off the board, and any hope of adding Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t materialize until the summer. However, one player in particular could still be available, in the form of Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox urged the Lakers to land Thompson in a trade before the deadline. While the Mavericksdon’t want to give up Marshall, they are reportedly shopping Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, andD’AngeloRussell, as well as the four-time champion with the Golden State Warriors, and the Lakers could come in and snag the shooting wing.
Thompson went to Dallas to playwithLuka Doncic, and while heisn’t the same caliber player he was even a few years ago, adding his shooting off the benchon this current Lakers team could be a strong addition before a postseason run.
Lakers Linked To Klay Thompson In Trade Rumors
This isn’t the first time Thompson hasbeen linked to Los Angeles in his illustrious career.Before he signed with the Mavericks, there were rumblings about him going to the Lakers to join thethen duo of LeBron James and Davis.
Though that never materialized, there was a report that if he got bought out, Los Angeles would be the team to watchout for.
“Dallas is going to [do a rebuild], now that AD [Anthony Davis] is out. And if Klay got bought out, I have it on good authority that the first call his agent would make would be to the Lakers. Because he would love to finish his career here,”John Ireland of ESPN radio previously said.
A buyout remains unlikely, despite theMavericks’ overall poor form and major injuries this season.However, withThompson’s mid-level contract, the Lakers could package Rui HachimuraorGabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht in a deal back to Dallas for the shooter.
Thompsonwouldn’t fix LosAngeles’ big issues on defense, but his outside shooting abilities, albeit in a limited role, could help the second unit for a very top-heavy Lakers team.
“Thompsonisn’t an elite defender or even as consistent a defender as he was earlier in his career. However, the 35-year-old is still a pretty reliable range shooter, which is something the Lakers could use offensively,”Knox wrote. “It’s also worth noting that Thomson was brought to Dallas in order to complement Dončić, specifically. While Thompson probablywouldn’t be a long-term contributor in L.A.,he’d beunder contract next year and would fit the roster with or without James.”
The Lakers have been quiet at this trade deadline, and if Thompson is available,it’s at least worthgiving the Mavericks a call for the four-time champion.
Lakers Trade Rumors
As previously mentioned, the Lakers seem to keep striking out on their top trade targets ahead of the deadline. Not because theyaren’t trying, but likely because of the limited assets they have available to move this season. The trade pieces of Hachimura, Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, Knecht, and a future first-rounder pale in comparison to what other contending teams have to offer.
Additionally,perinsider Jake Fischer, the idea of the Lakers being buyers at this trade deadline is relatively unlikely, as they are focusing on building up the roster over the summer, once James leaves and theypresumptively resign Austin Reaves to a near-max contract extension.
The Lakers Review
Jake Fischer during his live stream for Bleacher Report today stated the Lakers’ inability to trade for Keon Ellis – whom the team wanted – is an “indicator” to him that they’re not going to be “super aggressive” trying to find perimeter help.
He reiterated their desire to
With a future highlighted by Doncic, they are dead set on having cap space and flexibility this summer to pair their superstar with defensive-minded wings and big men.
But regarding the upcoming trade deadline, the possibility of a big move, or any deal, for that matter, seems fleeting.Writing for The Athletic, Dan Woikesaid that their lack of assets, despite their interest ina number of players, has put them in a bind.
“No one internally is writing off the possibility that the Lakers will look different afterThursday’s trade deadline. Rival teams still describe them as “active.”But the reality is their lack of draft assets, players with trade value and focus on the summer could mean meaningful changes are more likely to come later rather than now,”he wrote.
Los Angeles will likely be busy, or at least hopes to be, this offseason. Antetokounmpo could very well remain in the cards asthey’ll have more draft picks available to be moved, but for now, trading for a player like Thompson is likely the best they can do.