• Greg Monroe and Rudy Gay

Greg Monroe and Rudy Gay (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers could be attempting another offseason trade, with the team rumored to be holding off contracts of Brandon Ingram, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas to preserve cap space in case a deal comes up.

Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders may have hinted another potential trade this offseason involving the Lakers. Pincus claimed in a post on Twitter that the Lakers are putting the contracts of a handful of talents to preserve cap space in case something happens.

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The Lakers have yet to sign Ingram, the 2016 second overall pick, despite already playing for the team in the summer league, where the Duke product displayed his potential. Likewise, Black and Huertas, who have agreed to return to the Lakers for short-term deals have yet to pen their signatures on contracts.

While Pincus did not elaborate enough about what could possibly take place, there is a growing sense the Lakers are orchestrating another offseason trade following a lackluster free agency.

It is unknown whether the Lakers truly plans to deal away the aforementioned players, especially Ingram, who seems to fit well under Luke Walton's system. But if there is any chance the Lakers are working on a trade deal involving Ingram, Black and Huertas, it would not likely be for a star player, someone the Purple and Gold lack in their current roster.

Combining the three won't put up much value to lure the likes of DeMarcus Cousins or Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. Ingram, despite his potential, still needs plenty of work to do in order to become NBA-ready physically and skill-wise. Black and Huertas, on the other hand, are mere role players right now, but could be a valuable addition to contending teams.

But one possible trade target the Lakers may consider is Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe, who, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, is available in the trade market.

Monroe was supposed to be the game-changer the Bucks had hoped for when they signed him to a three-year $50 million contract last year. However, the 26-year-old center has become a straw-man, ineffectively playing alongside Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Lakers still have a glaring need to fill the center position, despite landing Timofey Mozgov on a multi-million deal. Monroe should fit well as the team's top threat low post.

The Bucks, on the other hand, need shooters may it be insider or outside the three-point area. Ingram should fit well in that description, while Black and Huertas could become significant key players off the bench.

Rudy Gay, who has reportedly requested a trade from the Sacramento Kings, also seems a perfect target for the Lakers, who have been lacking a talented wing in the past seasons.

Along with Monroe, Sten claimed Gay as the "NBA's most prominent proven vets known to be available via trade."


Gay would give the Lakers the "young veteran" they need to lead the team's pact of young players. Given his versatility to score and defend multiple positions, Gay can be the perfect piece if ever Luke Walton attempts to implement a small-ball lineup in LA.

With Luol Deng already in the fold, it makes little sense for the Lakers to pursue another small forward, although Gay and Deng make an intriguing tandem at the wing.

Of course, it still looks ridiculous for the Lakers to give up their young assets for Gay or Monroe. But if rumors are true about a potential trade brewing in LA, the Lakers should definitely keep an eye on Gay and Monroe's situation with their respective teams.