Lakers Trade Rumors: Looking at the Latest Lakers Buzz Around the Association

As we enter the month of March, the March 15 NBA trade deadline is coming up fast and no team needs to improve for the stretch run in the fashion the Los Angeles Lakers need to.

To seriously contend for an NBA championship, the Lakers need an upgrade at the point guard, small forward and on the bench.

Of course, the only way to get that is likely by parting with one of their two big men in Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol.

Here's a look at the latest rumors around the league when it comes to potential Lakers moves.

Andrew Bynum

Bynum's knee has been deemed healthy and that's something that could have scared off potential suitors.

While the Magic say they aren't interested in a Bynum-for-Dwight Howard swap, Bynum is a chip that could get the Lakers immediate help to fill all of their needs.

Even though a Bynum trade remains unlikely, it's something that general manager Mitch Kupchak would consider if the right offer came along.

The New York Post's Peter Vecsey reported that the Lakers offered Bynum for Howard during the All-Star break, but the Magic turned down the offer.

Pau Gasol

The Rockets still have a ton of interest in Gasol, but there's no way Kyle Lowry will be a part of any potential deal, says NBA writer Larry Coon, as Houston wants to build around him for the future.

The Timberwolves haven't inquired about Gasol in months, but there is mild interest from Chicago, though the Lakers wouldn't want to take back Carlos Boozer in any potential move.

Dwight Howard

According to Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, Howard will not sign an extension with the Lakers if he is traded to them. That makes a deal for the All-Star center very unlikely, but it hasn't got the Lakers completely off Howard as they are still in on him.

Gilbert Arenas

According to Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld, the Lakers' pursuit of Gilbert Arenas has really slowed down to the point that Arenas only remains an option if the Lakers strike out at the deadline. His conditioning is concerning for the Lakers and other teams.

Michael Beasley

The Lakers turned down the opportunity to acquire Beasley, says ESPN's Brian Kamenetzky. Chris Broussard also reports that they turned down Minnesota's offer for a first-round pick in exchange for Beasley, due to financial concerns.

They don't want to get any further into the luxury tax and that could put a damper on any further deals.

The Lakers already have one of the NBA's highest payrolls at roughly $88 million, which is well above the luxury tax threshold of $70 million. Already having to pay $18 million in taxes this season, taking on Beasley's $6.2 million deal would add another $6.2 million to their tax bill and that's an area where the Lakers don't want to go since there is a dollar-for-dollar penalty for tax-paying teams.

Kirk Hinrich

It seems like the Lakers have coveted Hinrich for some time and according to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, the Lakers have inquired about him once again.

No deal looks imminent, but it's something that will likely be revisited in the next couple of weeks.

Monta Ellis

Broussard chimed in on Ellis, stating that he would like to play for the Lakers, Bulls or Magic, but there is no ideal situation where he could end up in Los Angeles.

Raymond Felton and Ramon Sessions

The Lakers are considering a swap for Felton, according to Coon, and could use Lamar Odom's trade exemption to fit him in.

They've been linked to Sessions for quite some time now and Vecsey says the Lakers are aggressively pursuing both point guard options and expects something done sooner rather than later.

Rajon Rondo

The Gasol-for-Rondo rumor surfaced about a month ago, but Rondo is officially on the trade block and it's something that could pick up some steam in the next couple of weeks.

He could be the guy that the Lakers ultimately hold out for.

Rasheed Wallace

Vecsey reports that the Lakers are close to signing Wallace and ultimately that could lead to Gasol eventually being traded for point guard help.