Lakers Rumors: Can LA pull off a trade for Jeremy Lamb?

The Los Angeles Lakers still have three more roster spots to fill with 12 players on the roster and the Lakers rumors surrounding those three roster spots have been dense. Whether it is working out a trio of point guards or being interested in James Ennis, the Lakers have multiple directions to go.

One of those directions could even be Rajon Rondo, who is picking up steam as a potential buyout target for the Lakers.

Another name that has been added to the list is Indiana’s Jeremy Lamb. J. Michael of the Indy Star reported that the Lakers are among a handful of teams that are interested in trading for Lamb. Michael added to the Lakers rumors mill with this report but we have to ask the question:

Should we be buying these Los Angeles Lakers rumors about trading for Jeremy Lamb?

The answer is a resounding no. While this is a legitimate report from a legitimate sports reporter, it is practically impossible for the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for Lamb. It can be done, but there is zero chance that the Lakers do what it takes to actually get it done.

We do not have to look any further than Lamb’s contract to showcase why the Lakers should not even be talked about when it comes to Lamb’s future team.

Lamb is making $10.5 million next season on an expiring contract. There are two problems with this. First is the money itself. The Lakers are well over the salary cap and would have to send a package that nearly matches what Lamb is owed.

Which gets us to the second problem: sending a trade package that actually works. Let’s ignore the debate on whether or not a trade is even worth it for a second because the Lakers physically cannot get this trade done.

Talen Horton-Tucker is the closest contract to trade and he cannot be traded for three months. Even if he could be traded, the Lakers would never in a million years trade the young player they just signed for a season of Lamb, who is coming off of an injury.

They can physically trade Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol. The three stars all make triple and Gasol makes a fifth of what Lamb does. And once again, the Lakers are not going to trade a star for Jeremy Lamb!

Seeing the Lakers in this report is strange. It physically is not possible for the team to make a trade and even if it was, it would not help to trade the only young asset the team has locked in for multiple seasons.

Maybe the Lakers should be considered a candidate if Lamb is bought out, which makes a lot of sense. Lamb brings the floor-spacing presence with his three-point shot that the Lakers are looking for.

Perhaps there was a mix-up there with the sources because it is impossible for the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for Jeremy Lamb.