The Los Angeles Lakers roster could be undergoing another shakeup in the coming days. Earlier in January, the Lakers had a shakeup, releasing veteran center Andrew Bogut and former G League MVP, Vander Blue, from his two-way deal.
Only Gary Payton II has been signed to a two-way deal, so the Lakers have a roster spot open. Nigel Hayes filled that spot with a 10-day contract but was not signed to a second one.
With the NBA Trade Deadline only eight days away, the Lakers could very well have that roster spot filled by next weekend. The Lakers have been involved in plenty of trade rumors, which has come to the surprise of some of their players.
Reserve power forward/center, Larry Nance Jr. was surprised to hear some of the trade rumors revolving around the Lakers. Earlier in the month, it was reported that Nance Jr., along with Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, was on the trade block.
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While this may have surprised Nance Jr., it comes as no surprise to many people who follow the Lakers. It is no secret that the Lakers have big plans for the upcoming offseason. They are hoping to have enough cap space cleared to be able to sign two players to max contracts.
For that plan to come to fruition, the Lakers need to clear some cap space. The players on the team, however, do not care as much about the future as the front office and some fans do.
While making an appearance on The HoopsHype Podcast with Alex Kennedy, Nance Jr. opened up about the rumors, saying they surprised him.
"“I was a little bit surprised [by the rumors], but at the end of the day, it’s a business. If something like that were to happen, if I were to get traded to a different team, it would be a team that would value me. I try to look at it like that, just as an opportunity, if that were to happen. Obviously, I’d love to stay in L.A. But if it happens, there’s nothing that I can do about it, but it would be a new opportunity and hopefully one that I can seize and make the best of.”"
Hearing your name pop up in trade rumors cannot be easy for players, especially young ones such as Nance Jr. that have probably never been through something like this before. However, Nance Jr. takes a positive outlook on it. Despite being only 24-years old, he understands that it is a business and there are some things that happen that are out of their control.
Of the three players mentioned, Nance Jr. is arguably the least likely to be on the move. He has the cheapest contract of the three, as Randle is due a big payday this summer as a restricted free agent, while Clarkson is locked into a deal for two more seasons after this one. Nance Jr., on the other hand, has up to two seasons left on his rookie season.
The only conceivable way that Nance Jr. is moved is as a sweetener to a deal that includes Luol Deng‘s contract. It is unlikely he is the centerpiece of a deal.
Next: What Could The Lakers Do At The NBA Trade Deadline
We will have to see what happens in the coming days. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lakers make a move. The question is whether it will be a big one to clear cap space or one to make a push for this season.