Lakers news: Zach LaVine trade rumors, Austin Reaves injury update, NBA admits abhorrent mistake

The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling into the trade deadline as one of the teams to keep an eye on in the NBA. While things have not always been pretty this season, the Lakers are mostly healthy and are in striking distance to climb up the Western Conference ladder.

On top of the trade deadline rumors surrounding the team, there is also LeBron James’ pursuit of breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record. As of Sunday, LeBron is 116 points shy of tying Abdul-Jabbar.

There is a lot going on around the Lakers and the next few weeks could very well define the entire season. Here is everything you need to know going on in Laker land right now.

Lakers news roundup:

• Speculation around Zach LaVine being a trade target for the Lakers this season grows. ESPN’s Zach Lowe said “it’s become clearer and clearer” that the Bulls won’t get the LaVine situation together. He then named the Lakers as a potential landing spot for the Klutch Sports client.
• Speaking of Klutch clients, Los Angeles is reportedly interested in Gary Trent Jr. once more. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Trent is “at least on the Lakers’ radar”.
• After missing several weeks with a hamstring injury, Austin Reaves is expected to miss at least three more games and will be reevaluated on February 2.
• The NBA quickly admitted to its abhorrent no-call on LeBron James in the Lakers-Celtics game on Saturday night. Maybe the refs should have listened to Patrick Beverley when he was trying to show them the foul instead of giving him a technical.

NBA news roundup:

• Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers agreed to a two-year, $60 million contract extension on Saturday. Fans can officially cross Turner off of any offseason wishlists this upcoming summer.
• After getting snubbed as an All-Star Game starter, Joel Embiid went toe-to-toe against Nikola Jokic on Saturday and led the Philadelphia 76ers to victory. Embiid made a statement, dropping 47 points with 18 rebounds.
• Trey Murphy III has reportedly been invited to the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest. If he participates, Murphy will join Shaedon Sharpe, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Mac McClung.

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