NBA Rumors (Photo : REUTERS)
The Los Angeles Lakers will need more than selecting a high-impact talent at the draft to get back to playoff contention. It's also unclear if the Lakers remain a destination for elite free-agents following their futile attempts to get a star the past two seasons.
Perhaps, the best possible way for the purple-and-gold to jack up the caliber of their roster is through a big trade, which Bleacher Report featured columnist Ehran Khan believes the Lakers are capable of because of solid assets they currently posses (no.2, no.27 & second-round pick, Jordan Hill's $9MM expiring contract & Nick Young).
Khan opined in his latest article on B/R that the Lakers are one of the teams to watch on the trading front this offseason, because of their obvious need to infuse talents after not making the postseason for two consecutive years. But Khan stressed the Lakers should not pull off a trade because they just want to trade, as he believes setting their sight on specific trade targets is an ideal approach.
Ty Lawson, who has been on the trading block for quite some time, is referred by Khan as an intriguing trade target because of his reputation as a very solid combo guard for the Denver Nuggets the past two seasons.
Averaging 15.2 points and 9.6 assists in 35 minutes per game last season, Lawson is reportedly unhappy with the direction the Nuggets are taking after two subpar seasons with relieved head coach Brian Shaw. On the other hand, the Nuggets are not considering the former North Carolina standout an integral part of their future anymore, which makes a trade inevitable.
Another trade option Khan mentioned is Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. The Raps are coming off a disappointing playoff run after they were swept by the Washington Wizards in the first round. In the series, DeRozan averaged at least 19 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game (ESPN/Stats), but his production wasn't enough to overcome the Wizards onslaught. Breaking up his backcourt partnership with Kyle Lowry is being rumored as a possibility to give the Raptors a fresh look next season. DeRozan would welcome an opportunity to play in Los Angeles and become an heir apparent to Kobe Bryant.
In great need of a wing player, the Lakers actually have another of option at small forward position, as reports close to the situation indicated the availability of Portland Trail Blazers winger Nicolas Batum. Although his 2014-15 regular-season numbers (9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game) weren't encouraging, Batum is still one of the finest do-it-all cornerman in the league and a player of such caliber doesn't grow in trees.
