Lakers Rumors: Should Lakers Nation believe these trade rumors or not?

Lakers rumors start when adversity hits. A four-game losing streak that includes a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers definitely qualifies. Kyle Kuzma’s trainer calling out LeBron James puts Kuz in the spotlight as a guy to be traded. Which rumor is to believed? Lake Show Life helps you out.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors are beginning to pick up. The Lakers rumor mill will be running rampant for the next six to eight weeks. Only this year it will pale in comparison to last year when the Lakers chase for Anthony Davis was the number one reality show in the world for 10 days. It will be different for the rest of the NBA as well.

December 15th was a special day for the NBA trade season. Now free agents that were signed over the summer are now eligible to be traded. In short, there are now more opportunities for movement around the league. Something that was hamstrung with 40 percent of the league’s players on the move this summer.

The question floating around Lakers Nation is: What kind of options do the Los Angeles Lakers have for improvement for a deep run in the playoffs?

For the first two months of the NBA regular season, this type of conversation would be considered stupid. The Lake Show was the hottest show in town racing out to a 24-3 record with the chemistry experiment of LeBron and AD flowing rather smoothly. But after losing the best record in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks as a part of a four-game slide, here we are.

The losing streak showed the Lakers have flaws that need to be addressed. The defense took a nosedive, plummeting to 28th in net rating during the losing streak. The slippage shows that a need for another wing player is needed. A playmaker to place next to LeBron was an issue when things were good. Now that a groin injury is becoming a problem, now the Lakers really need somebody.

While other teams near the top of the standings like the Bucks, Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers possibly being active at the trade deadline, the Lakers really can’t count on the trade market to improve their roster.

Andre Iguodala won’t be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies until all possibilities are exhausted. Even then, it is rumored that the Grizz is making things difficult for the Lakers to acquire him anyway. But if other players get bought out, it’s safe to assume that they will want to join the LeBron James “I want a trip to the NBA Finals” program.

Right now the Lakers want another big forward to guard the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George or Giannis Antetokounmpo in a seven-game playoff series. Danny Green has been underwhelming and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is too small. Kyle Kuzma is a suspect defender and Avery Bradley may not be enough.

But that won’t stop numerous outlets to hand out unrealistic options as Lakers rumors for clickbait. Lake Show Life is here to help guide you through truth and fiction. We discussed in detail what league GMs would want from the Lakers roster to make a trade. Now we will investigate some of the rumors floating around.

But before going into that. First, let’s go into Rob Pelinka’s office and look over what the team’s options really are.

Where the Lakers are at and what they have going forward.

The Los Angeles Lakers signed 12 players to new contracts this season.  Four of the players were resigned last year’s roster. They are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Alex Caruso and Rajon Rondo.

Three of the players, KCP, JaVale and Rondo have iron-clad no-trade clauses in their contract because they re-signed on “1+1” deals. This means these players were playing on a one-year deals last year.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, if any of these players were traded, they would lose their “Bird Rights” when they hit free agency. Also read: they stand to lose money in the open market because there are limits to how much another team can offer them. Because of this clause, players have the right to reject any trade deal.

Caldwell-Pope showed that the option is very valid. The Lakers tried to trade him reportedly to the Chicago Bulls last year. Well, you see KCP is still in a Lakers uniform.

The point is, there are three players on the roster that is not going anywhere. The Lakers are the hottest story going in the NBA and they reside at the top of the Western Conference despite the four-game slide. So let’s talk about the buyout route.

Remember last year when the Lakers traded Michael Beasley and Ivica Zubac to the Clippers to create a roster spot? Lakers rumors had Carmelo Anthony as the guy for that spot if the Lakers made a playoff run. They didn’t. Many free agents, most notably Enes Kanter didn’t want anything to do with the Lakers last year.

Boy, has things changed.

Now L.A. can sell a prospective free agent an opportunity to win a championship with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But here’s what the Lakers have as a caveat in the post-trade deadline market.

The Lakers can use the  $1.75 million disabled player exception due to DeMarcus Cousins missing the season with a torn MCL. Unlike veteran’s minimum contracts, the disabled player exception won’t prorate throughout the season, so instead of a player signing a minimum deal, they could sign with the Lakers for $1.75 million.

Now based on this information, let’s talk about the Lakers rumors floating around.

Lakers rumors number one: Lakers trying to make run for Davis Bertans.

The Lakers rumor:

Davis Bertans is having a career year with the Washington Wizards this season and would be the perfect addition for the Lakers. He is averaging 15 points on the strength of 43% from distance.

The Wizards theoretically would move Bertans at the deadline because he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and they wouldn’t want to let him walk without receiving anything in return.

A potential trade would be Davis Bertans for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker, and multiple 2nd round picks.

For the Wizards, this trade could land Horton-Tucker, who potentially could turn into an impactful player at a price that provides cap flexibility. With the 2nd round picks, hopefully, they can get lucky.

For the Lakers, Bertans would be the “shooter” that the media always states that LeBron James needs. Also, Bertans is an outstanding catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter so he would be a nice option if Danny Green continues to struggle.

Lakers’ reality:

This deal is not happening for many reasons. We’ll just brush past the fact that KCP would even entertain waiving his no-trade clause to leave the top team in the Western Conference for a cellar-dwelling Wizards team in the Eastern Conference.

Talen Horton-Tucker was coveted by the Lakers in the draft. Hence the fact that they made a trade to get a pick in the second round. Then throw in the fact that he is tearing up the G-League with the South Bay Lakers, there’s no chance of the Lakers letting go of this young prospect.

Finally, what 2nd round picks? If they have any, Rob Pelinka would be smart to keep them.

Lakers rumors number two: The Los Angeles Lakers make a deal for Patty Mills.

The Lakers rumor:

The San Antonio Spurs are going nowhere and unless there is a serious turnaround, they will be starting a rebuild soon. NBA contenders want shooters, so Patty Mills could be one of the few Spurs players that could be coveted.

Patty Mills would be a great addition for the Lakers considering he is one of the few consistent players this season for the Spurs as a shooter and facilitator. A potential trade would be Patty Mills in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Quinn Cook and a future 2nd round pick.

For the Spurs, this move helps you get out of Mills’ contract a year early as well as gets you some more draft capital.

For the Lakers, their point guard situation is in a word, lacking. Rondo has been up and down (Let’s just say down shall we?) for most of the season and Quinn Cook is undersized and is so far down on the Lakers bench, he watches the game on cable.

Alex Caruso is better fit off the ball rather than running the point, so this trade can clear up any concerns that the Lakers may have with the backup point guard position.

Lakers’ reality:

Really? Just really? Question; does Gregg Popovich still coach the San Antonio Spurs? What deal do you know the Lakers and Spurs would actually do with his blessing?

Remember the Kawhi Leonard situation? Remember when he reportedly advised GMs not to deal with the Lakers? Do we need to go on?

There’s that KCP situation that needs to be dealt with. Leaving a championship contender for a rebuild. Sure, that’ll happen. The Spurs front office will not get rid of Patty Mills for Quinn Cook, who plays once every two weeks and a couple of second-round picks for Mills. That’s just not what R.C. Buford will do in his right mind.

Finally, outside of Kawhi Leonard, what former Spur leaves San Antonio and makes a major impact? Please don’t mention Danny Green, have you seen him shoot with any consistency this season?

Lakers rumors number three: The Lakers make a move for Dennis Schroder.

Lakers rumor:

The Oklahoma City Thunder cares about one thing and one thing only. Draft picks and younger players. Danilo Gallinari is basically a goner. Chris Paul will not be there for the long-term and Dennis Schroder‘s contract is a salary cap headache Sam Presti would like to be rid of.

Schroder is having a great year for the Thunder averaging 17 points for a team that is actually in the top 8 in the Western Conference. A potential trade would be Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2025 first, multiple 2nds and cap fillers for Dennis Schroder.

For the Thunder, the trade sheds Schroder’s contract from the books while getting two young players in Kostas and Talen. Plus it gives Sam Presti what he wants more than anything these days.

More draft picks for the cache.

For the Lakers, Schroder can provide scoring off the bench as well as alleviate the offensive pressure off of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Lakers’ reality:

Stop laughing. No really, stop laughing. Yes, this a rumor. This deal is so bad, no one would believe Rob Pelinka could be this stupid. He’s not.

The Los Angeles Lakers WOULD NEVER trade the last first-round pick that they own after the Anthony Davis trade. Plus give away 2nd round picks? Not happening.

KCP going to OKC? Sure, right. Give up all of these assets and take on salary? Quit it.

Lakers rumors number four: The Los Angeles Lakers make a move for Marcus Morris.

Breaking news to Lake Show Life! The New York Knicks are a dumpster fire. They fired David Fizdale and made Stephen A. Smith’s rants fashionable again.

ESPN actually placed him on multiple NBA shows just so he will bash the Knicks.

With that being said, it’s no secret that the Knicks are starting over (Like again!) made everyone available not named RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. Marcus Morris will be one of the first to be traded aka one of the few players any NBA team would want.

Marcus Morris had an interesting (Also read bridge-burning!) free agency. After accepting a two-year contract with the Spurs, he backed out of it and opted to sign a one year deal with the Knicks instead.

Morris is currently having a career year with the Knicks averaging a career-high 18.7 points. A potential trade would once again be similar to the trade proposal for  Dennis Schroder.

For the Knicks, they would be acquiring young assets for a player that will more than likely leave them in free agency.

For the Lakers, Morris would be an amazing 3-and-D small forward/power forward the team desperately needs. Marcus Morris is a tough player who brings a lot of energy and this energy will be needed on a team looking to win a championship this season.

Lakers’ reality:

Outside of the KCP reference that keeps coming up, this is the only deal that actually makes some relevance of sense. Only one thing. It’s easy to have a career year on a team that is atrocious. Someone has to do it. Plus, Morris is on record saying he wants to stay. (Believe me Lakers fans, the New York life is the BOMB if you can afford it!).

Even if the Lakers made this deal, Marcus Morris has been wildly inefficient this year. The Los Angeles Lakers have built a chemistry that Morris could mess within the locker room. Plus the ball has been in his hands a lot this year.

It’s hard to see him as a guy that will stand out on the perimeter and wait for his opportunity to shoot. Remember his time with Kyrie Irving?

These types of rumors will be floating around for the next month or so, for complete analysis and realistic possible deals, tune into Lake Show Life.