Lakers Rumors: LA Searching for Guard 'Who Can Defend' in Trade Talks amid Struggles

The Los Angeles Lakers are "looking for a guard who can defend" amid their ongoing struggles, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst on Get Up! Wednesday.

"When I talked to executives in the league, they say when the Lakers have had conversations, they've actually been looking for a guard too," Windhorst said. "They're looking for a guard who can defend."

The Lakers started 10-4 but have since dropped seven of 10 to fall to 13-11. Four of those losses have been by 25 or more points, and L.A. allowed 127 or more points in each of those games.

Obviously, defense has been a big problem for the Lakers. The team has slumped to 26th in defensive rating this year after its recent rough stretch, per Basketball-Reference.

Plus, the Lakers have gotten poor production from some of their guards as is.

Gabe Vincent is scoring 3.8 points on 35.0 percent shooting in 18.9 minutes per game. Max Christie is posting 5.7 PPG on 40.8 percent shooting. D'Angelo Russell has been slumping on and off and was moved to the bench, although he did just post 28 points and 14 assists in a 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

So generally speaking, the team needs more depth at guard and defensive help. Hence, Windhorst's report isn't a surprise considering the team's deficiencies.

L.A. has been discussed elsewhere on the trade market. Of most note, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers are among numerous teams that have "kept tabs" on Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, who played in L.A. from 2017-2021.

Another ex-Laker who could be traded, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, is out there. However, Jake Fischer reported for The Stein Line newsletter that he hasn't been given indication that the team is looking into a reunion with the ex-Laker.

As it seems every year, the Lakers should find themselves being discussed much before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and especially so this year given the team's recent performance barring a precipitous rise back up the standings.