Russell Westbrook (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to have an "unnamed trade target" this offseason, and there is only so much to speculate about who might the Purple and Gold have in mind.
Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders may have hinted a possibility of the Lakers engaging in another trade, with the team yet to sign rookie Brandon Ingram, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas.
According to Pincus, the Lakers are putting the contracts for the mentioned players on hold to preserve cap space in case "something happens," sparking speculations of another offseason trade. But it seems the Lakers already have a player in mind, whom they acquire using the team's projected $13.6 million cap space, assuming they waive Nick Young.
"The team has held off on signing Tarik Black, Marcelo Huertas and second-overall pick Brandon Ingram, keeping an eye on what could be $13.6 million in cap room (assuming the team also waives and stretched Nick Young)," Pincus wrote.
"The Lakers do have an unnamed trade target in mind, but are also preserving space for another opportunistic Calderon-like deal."
This would certainly generate buzz around the league, especially with the Lakers seemingly geared up to place their hopes on their core of young talents in next season's campaign. This could also mean the Lakers could truly be serious in wanting to win-now than wait for their youngsters to reach full potential.
It is still unknown whether the Lakers are exploring trade deals in the market, but there are a handful of players the team could acquire on such amount. Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe and Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, two of the "NBA's most proven vets available via trade," according to ESPN's Marc Stein, are possible options.
Both players would tremendously help a young Lakers' team win more games next season, but Monroe and Gay are unlikely to turn the Lakers into a legitimate title contender, unless they acquire the two veterans.
Considering the cap room the Lakers have and other potential trade targets, it could possibly turn out as a blockbuster deal for none other than OKC Thunder star point guard Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook has been in the heat of trade talks after Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City for the Golden State Warriors. Several teams have been linked to Westbrook, but the Lakers remain the most ideal destination for the 28-year-old point guard, who grew up and played college basketball in Los Angeles.
There are many levels why the Lakers should avoid trading for Westbrook in the offseason. For one, the Lakers could just wait for Westbrook to hit free agency in the summer of 2017 before pursuing the All-Star PG.
Trading for Westbrook would also be too pricey for the Lakers, which means they are expected to give up talented youngsters in D'Angelo Russell and/or Brandon Ingram in any potential deal. Plus, it is also risky trading for someone who may bolt out in free agency next year. But Bleacher Report's Josh Martin believes the Lakers "just might" gamble on trading for Westbrook if the team is pressured to win-now.
"The Lakers just might, if the pressure to win now is as high as the team's confidence in retaining him via free agency," Martin wrote.
Reports from The Oklahoman's Anthony Slater claimed Westbrook has not demanded the Thunder any trade, but is rather "ticked off" and determined to face the challenge of carrying OKC next season. But it may not stop the Lakers from attempting what could be their most significant acquisition in recent years.
