Victor Oladipo (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are pushing for an 11th hour trade that would give them Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo, and they are reportedly willing to trade one of their three highly-coveted youngsters to make the deal happen.
In an article on Morning News USA, the Lakers front-office is working on a trade package to acquire Oladipo from the Magic. According to the report, the Lakers are making reserve shooting guard Louis Williams available with the possibility of adding second-year guard Jordan Clarkson.
Via Morning News USA:
"According to one source close to the Lakers, the team could be willing to give up Clarkson to acquire Oladipo since they both play at the same position. While Oladipo is capable of playing at the 3, Magic coach Scott Skiles has preferred to use the former No. 2 draft pick in the backcourt."
Oladipo, the no.2 overall pick in the 2013 Draft, is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 31 minutes per game in his first season under head coach Scott Skiles. The former Indiana Hoosier and Tobias Harris, who was already traded to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, have been made available by the Magic days ahead of Feb. 18 trade deadline (Link Real GM).
On Wednesday, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak confirmed that they are receiving an awful lot of trade offer for their youngster trio of Clarkson, Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell, although he stressed that it's unlikely he'll deal one of these players (via Mike Bresnahan of Los Angeles Times).
On the other hand, the Lakers are also high on Oladipo because of the player's massive two-way potential. Clarkson, who is averaging 15.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest, will become a restricted free-agent at the end of the season, while Oladipo is under contract through 2018.
Lou Williams is playing on the first year of three-year, $21 million contract. He is averaging 15.4 points on 40 percent shooting from the field. Several teams have already expressed interest for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
