Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors include Dennis Schroder and Spencer Dinwiddie, as the purple and gold look to upgrade their point guard position.
As as we move closer to the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline, more and more Los Angeles Lakers rumors begin to pop up.
The Lakers have been great this season, as they lead the Western Conference with a record of 38-11. They are humming right along behind point guard LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The superstar duo has lived up to expectations on and off the court.
While they are riding high right now, there are some areas the team could upgrade at. Atop that list is finding another ball handler, presumably one that can get their own shot. The trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Lakers to fill that need, and they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to find that upgrade.
Darren Collison is one player that has been mentioned as an option for the Lakers. Collison is currently retired but has considered coming back, with the Lakers and LA Clippers atop his list of teams he would want to play for.
Sources: Free agent/retired guard Darren Collison has been working out and has interest in playing in the NBA again, and Lakers and Clippers are teams he likes. But Collison not expected to make decision until after All-Star break.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) February 5, 2020
To make room for Collison, the Lakers would have to waive someone from their roster, as they are currently at the max of 15 players. If the Lakers do not sign Collison, they could go the trade route to upgrade at point guard and they have inquired about two different players.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers have been in touch with the Oklahoma City Thunder about point guard, Dennis Schroder.
The Lakers inquired about Dennis Schröder as they look to fortify the PG position leading up to the trade deadline, sources told ESPN. The conversation did not go very far, as OKC -- currently the No. 7 seed in the West -- were not looking to move him without a hefty return.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 5, 2020
Schroder would not be a rental for the Lakers. He is signed through 2021, but if he were to continue producing as he has been this season, the Lakers would be more than happy to have him for next season as well.
Schroder is averaging 19.1 points per game, a career-high, with a 57.7 true shooting percentage, as a career-high. He is averaging 4.1 assists per game, and arguably most importantly, he is making 2.1 3-pointers per game on 38.8 percent, both also career-highs.
Schroder isn’t the only scoring point guard that the Lakers are inquiring about. According to Alex Kennedy, via Zach Lowe’s ESPN’s deadline special, the Lakers have made calls to the Brooklyn Nets about guard Spencer Dinwiddie.
The Lakers have made some calls to ask about the availability of Spencer Dinwiddie and Dennis Schroder, according to Zach Lowe on this ESPN deadline special.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 5, 2020
Dinwiddie is having a great year for the Nets. He has filled in well for Kyrie Irving when called upon, averaging 21.3 points and 6.4 assists per game.
The Colorado product would provide the Lakers’ second unit with an immediate boost as someone who can create their own shot while also run the offense. He would also provide some versatility, as he can play either on ball or off-ball.
While acquiring either Schroder or Dinwiddie would improve the team, it is fair to ask how much it would take to land either player. The Thunder and Nets aren’t going to just give away integral parts of their rotation for pennies on the dollar.
If talks do pick up, the smart money would be on Kyle Kuzma being included in a deal. Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess what the teams will ask for, as the Lakers’ assets are limited after they unloaded most of their war chest to land Davis in the trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.