Lakers Trade Rumors: Schröder, Drummond, Sexton Targeted; Miles Bridges 'Unlikely'

A reunion with Andre Drummond and/or Dennis Schröder is among the contingencies for the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

McMenamin did a thorough examination of the Lakers' potential trade paths Tuesday and outlined a "split the difference" course of action where the front office addresses some needs without overhauling the roster.

Drummond, Schröder and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton all fit within that plan.

Charlotte Hornets wing Miles Bridges is one player who might be off the board, with McMenamin predicting it "unlikely" he'd land in L.A. thanks to the team not having his Bird rights this summer in free agency.

Gabe Vincent was supposed to help shore up the backcourt and provide floor spacing, but he has been out since late October because of a knee injury.

McMenamin reported Sexton and the Washington Wizards' Tyus Jones are under consideration to address the void created by Vincent's absence. Schröder and Toronto Raptors teammate Bruce Brown are players of interest with the same idea in mind.

Drummond, meanwhile, fits under Los Angeles' list of candidates "who could address specific needs in a potential playoff matchup," with McMenamin specifically citing the Denver Nuggets as one hypothetical opponent.

General manager Rob Pelinka is stuck between a rock and a hard place with the Lakers sitting at .500 (22-22) and ninth in the Western Conference.

McMenamin reported the front office has pondered a blockbuster for a "bona fide star," but that will have to wait until the summer since that's when Pelinka can put three first-round picks on the table.

A player from a lower tier such as Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray would undoubtedly make the Lakers better but probably not to the extent they become a genuine championship threat. That kind of deal would also make it tougher to execute that aforementioned blockbuster.

Shopping at a level below that, while sensible in the grand scheme of things, is bound to be viewed as a failure to do more to build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Imagine if the Lakers moved for Schröder, whom they let walk as a free agent, or Drummond, whose most memorable contribution in purple and gold didn't involve playing basketball.

Pelinka proved everyone wrong last year when he executed a major midseason reshuffle that laid the foundation for a Western Conference Finals run. It's almost impossible to see how he can pull a rabbit out of his hat again.