Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: Ranking the Top Trades L.A. Could Make

Alright, ladies and gentlemen—it's time to rank some trade rumors.

With the Los Angeles Lakers right in the thick of many of the purported NBA trade talks, it seems fitting to go through some of the more recent rumors and rank them for the Lakers.

I'll source the rumors through Peter Vecsey of the New York Post (who basically did a rumor round-up for the Lakers recently) and give his take alongside mine.

This should be fun.

5. Lakers get Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics for Pau Gasol

It would be higher, but it will never, ever happen. At least I don't think the Celtics would be dumb enough to do this.

This rumor really needs to die already.

4. Lakers get Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a return to be determined (perhaps a first-round pick?)

Vecsey's Take 

"That someone could be Ramon Sessions ($4.2 million/$4.5 million). The Lakers are doing some fast talking to the Cavaliers, who are swamped by calls, as are the Kings."

My Take

It's an upgrade at the position for the Lakers, though it is one of the more boring rumors they've been involved in, if we're being honest. There are trade possibilities out there that would improve the Lakers more than this, though Sessions would be a pretty good consolation prize for the team.

3. Lakers get Raymond Felton from the Portland Trail Blazers for the Trade Exception and Michael Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a first-round pick

Vecsey's Take

"

While it can't be complicated to get the Blazers to give up Felton, who radically regressed this season (10.2 points, 6.2 assists, 25 percent from three, 37 percent overall), why would L.A. want someone struggling so badly?

"

And this:

"

The Lakers, also in dire need of a legitimate scoring threat at small forward, have genuine interest in Michael Beasley, but it's doubtful they'll use the $8.9 million trade exception (from Lamar Odom being shipped to Dallas) to acquire him because of the increased luxury tax consequences stemming from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"

My Take

These are smaller moves that could improve the Lakers without the team having to pay a huge cost (well, other than in salaries). Still, Vecsey has a point about Felton, and Beasley has been accused of maturity issues, something that Kobe would grow weary of rather quickly if they surfaced in L.A.

2. Lakers get Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu from the Orlando Magic for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol

Vecsey's Take

"

They’re determined to acquire a point guard sooner than two weeks from now. If it’s a multi-player transaction, Pau Gasol will be sacrificed. Should the Magic change their mind about accepting Andrew Bynum for Howard (Pau’s inclusion might do it), Jameer Nelson would almost have to be part of the package unless an above-average ball-handler can be obtained elsewhere.

"

My Take

(You can read more about my take on this rumor here.) On one hand, I love this deal for the Lakers in that they land Dwight Howard, a legitimate superstar that will continue to sell tickets after Kobe Bryant retires. Plus, they land Nelson, who will at least be an upgrade at point guard.

On the other hand, I hate Turkoglu's contract and I think this deal makes the Lakers a less effective team on the block. Plus, Dwight Howard's alleged reluctance to play with Kobe Bryant makes me think there could be chemistry issues here.

1. Lakers get Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola from the Houston Rockets for Pau Gasol

Vecsey's Take

"

Regarding the Rockets, as much as I like Pau, why would you surrender someone having a season of near All-Star proportions (career highs in points, 15.6 and assists, 7.6) along with Luis Scola, who’s almost as good as Gasol and twice as tough?Houston general manager Daryl Morey admittedly made one monster mistake when he waived Jeremy Lin (surely you didn’t think I could write a column without mentioning his name) so I guess he’s certainly capable of making another one … except he repudiates the story.

"

My Take

I love this deal for the Lakers, which you can read more about here. The Lakers don't have to sacrifice Andrew Bynum, they get an excellent point guard (which they desperately need) in Lowry and get a solid replacement for Gasol in Scola.

This is the ideal move for the team in my opinion.

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