Lakers Trade Rumors: Kirk Hinrich Wouldn't Give LA Necessary Jolt
Of all the potential players the Lakers could bring in, you will not find one more bland than Kirk Hinrich. Try as hard as you want, you will not find a move that gives less of a kick. So, reports that the Lakers are interested in Hinrich are confusing, to say the least.
Alex Kennedy of Hoops World wrote that Hinrich has found his way onto the Los Angeles radar:
"Los Angeles has also been pursuing Kirk Hinrich in recent weeks. The Lakers have been linked to Hinrich in the past and the Atlanta Hawks would move the veteran point guard if the right deal came along. The two teams have had conversations in recent weeks.
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Talk about an uninspiring move. Throughout this entire trade season, I've heard a lot of rumors that would have brought the Lakers a point guard. I can't recall a single one that I have said they shouldn't do. There is a first time for everything, as this is about as stationary a move as you could possibly imagine.
Take a look at how Hinrich's current season stacks up to the ones that the Lakers current duo of Steve Blake and Derek Fisher are having.
| Age | MPG | PPG | APG | |
| Kirk Hinrich | 31 | 19.9 | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Steve Blake | 32 | 24.8 | 6.3 | 3.2 |
| Derek Fisher | 37 | 25.4 | 5.4 | 3.3 |
Where exactly is the upgrade? While the Lakers need a point guard, there is no point in trading for another run-of-the-mill journeyman. They've already got on of those. As a matter of fact, they already have two of those.
There are a few different kinds of point guards that the Lakers need to be going after.
One is a proven star (e.g. Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo), although that would cost a lot. Another is a youngster who's shown some promise in limited time (e.g. Ramon Sessions). Lastly, we can talk about a former star who's maybe fallen on some hard times this year, but is still young enough to build around (e.g.: Raymond Felton).
Hinrich fits none of those categories. Acquiring him would just be running in place for a franchise that should be sprinting. With Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol nearing the end of their careers, the Lakers need to be eying moves that undeniably make them better. Hinrich doesn't do that, nor does he come anywhere close.
The Lakers are best suited to leave this move in the rumor mill. Pursuing it would be a big mistake.
