Lakers Rumors: 5 Moves They Must Make Before the Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is right around the corner, and the rumors continue to swirl around the Los Angeles Lakers.

Many fans feel LA can't compete for a championship with its current roster and are expecting change in the next two weeks. Change they will likely get.

However, what moves should we expect the Lakers to make in the next two weeks? Will we see any blockbuster trades or just subtle signings as they attempt to get by.

Here are five moves the Lakers would be smart to make. Get that masked man some help in the backcourt before he gets angry. 

Trade for Kirk Hinrich

According to John Carroll of ESPN, the Lakers have renewed their interest in Atlanta point guard Kirk Hinrich.

Hinrich, who does not get many minutes in Atlanta playing behind Jeff Teague, is known as a knockdown shooter. However, the most underrated aspect of his game would have to be his defense.

The signing of Hinrich would result in an upgrade on both ends of the floor for the Lakers, and the Hawks' asking price is not too much. The Lakers would have to give them their first-round pick and also rookie Darius Morris, who does not see the floor much anyway.

This would be a smart, yet subtle move that the Lakers could make. Although it would not seem like much, Hinrich would immediately affect the team's play with his shooting ability and defensive intensity.

He is looking for another opportunity to play after falling out of favor in Atlanta, and he could get it with the Lakers.

Trade for Michael Beasley

Although the Lakers reportedly denied the Timberwolves offer for Michael Beasley yesterday, I believe they still will find a way to get a deal done with Minnesota. 

This trade makes a lot of sense for LA. Beasley is one of the most versatile players in the NBA. Like Lamar Odom, he can play three positions.

He would provide solid production off the bench, and the Lakers would not have to give up much for him. If they throw in a player along with their first-round pick, this deal could be done in the next few days.

Beasley still has a lot of potential and shows moments of brilliance. If the Lakers utilize him correctly, he could prove to be a big part of a championship run this season.

Not to be overshadowed by his impressive offense is his defense. When he locks in, Beasley is tough to get by. He can guard three positions. The signing of Beasley is a must for the Lakers.

Sign Rasheed Wallace

It has been rumored that Rasheed Wallace will sign with the Lakers. However, this was about five days ago and we haven't heard much since then. 

The only way this signing would make sense would be if the Lakers traded Pau Gasol and simply needed to bolster their rotation with another versatile big man.

Nobody knows how much Wallace could bring to the table, but signing him to the veteran minimum could be solid for the Lakers.

With the new rule making NBA rosters 13 for the whole season instead of 12, there is room for Wallace's toughness and top-of-the-key jump shot.

I wouldn't want to mess with a team with Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes and Rasheed Wallace. But that's just me.

Trade Gasol to the Rockets

Out of all the trade rumors about Pau Gasol, sending him to the Rockets would be what's best for the Lakers. That is if they can pry away Kyle Lowry.

The Rockets are reportedly not ready to part ways with their improved point guard, however, I don't see a deal going through with the Rockets without him being involved. It is clear they are very interested in Gasol.

As of late, Goran Dragic has been playing great for Houston, which would make it a little easier for them to trade away Lowry.

If the Lakers could get the Rockets to include Lowry in a deal, the trade would likely be Luis Scola and Lowry for Gasol.

The Lakers would instantaneously be improved at point guard and in Scola would have a solid player at the No. 4 position to pair alongside Bynum in the post. If they made no other moves besides this one and kept their first-round pick, they could draft a solid young gun and be the revamped Lakers come next year.

I know Kobe is getting older, but this move would make the most sense for the future of the Lakers.

Trade for Raymond Felton

Raymond Felton got his spot taken in Portland. This is not to say that he is not a good player. Jamal Crawford is just playing some great basketball right now.

That being said, Felton is still a tough, speedy and crafty point guard who a lot of teams, including the Lakers,  would love to have.

The Lakers could likely get away with sending their exception and a player like Matt Barnes to Portland for Felton. Yes, Barnes has been playing well. But with the addition of Felton and the call-up of Devin Ebanks, the Lakers would be better off.

Ebanks is the future of the Lakers and needs to be seeing the floor more. He is long and lanky and has the potential to be the Lakers' next Trevor Ariza.

Felton could step in and be that tough point guard who takes control of the offense and complements Kobe Bryant in the backcourt. He can knock down open jump shots. He can create his own shot. And when he gets in the lane with his speed and quickness, he can find the open man.

Felton to the Lakers. Might want to think about it, Jerry Buss.

The Last Thing the Lakers Should Do...

The last thing the Lakers should do is trade Andrew Bynum. Especially for Dwight Howard.

Howard's agent has stated that Howard would not sign an extension with the Lakers. He wants to be Kobe, not play with Kobe. However, he will do whatever it takes to get out of Orlando, even if it means playing with a team for half a season before he could choose his own destination.

Just imagine this. The Lakers trade both Gasol and Bynum to the Magic. Orlando gets exactly what it wants, which is not one, but two of the best bigs in the NBA who will enable its organization to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, Laker fans will be happy and look forward to the playoffs. LA will make a push but will not get the job done due to lack of depth and weak point-guard play. Then summer comes and, like he said he would,  Howard leaves L.A. to go play alongside Deron Williams somewhere else.

The Lakers are left with nothing but Bryant with only a little left in the tank and a roster that has no chance of competing for a championship any time soon. 

All of you Laker fans think of that the next time you say "Man, we just need Dwight Howard."