Lakers Trade Rumors: 6 Bold Predictions for LA Before Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers remain the No. 5 seed out West, and while they are likely to get into this year's post-season, how far they go could be decided by what moves they make this next week.

With the March 15th trade deadline just around the corner, there are a handful of potential scenarios that the Lakers just might be bold enough to pull off before this year's deadline comes and goes.

The roster may not need a total face-lift just yet, but if a deal presents itself that will push this team deeper into the playoffs, there shouldn't be any hesitation to begin shaking up the foundation this season.

The Lakers Trade Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol's contract could be difficult to move before the March 15 deadline, but as we've seen throughout the season thus far, there are a number of teams that don't appear to be scared off to this point.

The Houston Rockets have coveted the 7'0" power forward for months now, and while they would like to continue building around point guard Kyle Lowry, the team would surely like to remain in the mix for Gasol up until the deadline passes.

The Boston Celtics have also been linked to Gasol, and if Rajon Rondo is truly still available, the two All-Stars could be the two main pieces in a blockbuster deadline deal.

The Lakers Trade for Rajon Rondo

Speaking of Rajon Rondo, the Boston Celtics point guard has been on and off the block seemingly all season.

While Celtics GM Danny Ainge is willing to blow up the "Big Three" in Boston, the team has yet to commit to trading the 26-year-old point guard.

The point guard position has been one of the biggest concerns for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, and if one of the league's best players at the position is available, the team should do whatever it takes to go get him.

Rasheed Wallace was rumored to be on his way to Los Angeles recently, and if the Lakers move Pau Gasol for Rondo, he could be another big body to step in and provide minutes at the power forward spot.

He's no Gasol, but if the team holds onto Bynum this season, Wallace could be a serviceable piece that can play alongside the team's own "Big Three" in Bryant, Rondo and Bynum.

The Lakers Trade for Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has said that if traded to the Los Angeles Lakers this season, he would not be interested in signing with the team long-term.

That doesn't mean, though, that the Lakers shouldn't try and convince him otherwise.

It would certainly be a gamble to bring in a player who may leave in a matter of months, but if you convince him to stay, the risk is well worth the reward.

If Howard can team up with Kobe Bryant to win a championship this season, it might be difficult for the league's best center to walk away from a championship squad that could become his team as Bryant nears the end of his career.

The Lakers Trade for Josh Smith

Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Josh Smith wants out of Atlanta.

While the Los Angeles Lakers have not been directly linked to the 26-year-old forward as of yet, the team would be foolish to let the opportunity go by without a simple inquisition.

With Pau Gasol already on the block, Smith could provide rebounding, defense and an overall youthfulness to a roster that needs a spark heading toward the post-season.

The two teams would have to make this happen quickly, but a deal shouldn't be considered impossible if the Atlanta Hawks decide it's time to part ways with Smith before the deadline.

The Lakers Trade for Raymond Felton

The Portland Trail Blazers' Raymond Felton is having his worst statistical season as an NBA point guard, which could be very good news for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Felton's value is down, and the two teams have reportedly discussed a deal that would send Felton to the Lakers in exchange for point guard Steve Blake.

The Lakers have been linked to point guard Ramon Sessions for a while now, but with Felton's production so low this season, his value may have dropped enough for a low-risk deadline acquisition.

Felton's contract expires at the end of the season, so the Lakers could use the next two months as a trial run. Either he becomes the point guard of the future, or you simply let him go as an expiring contract this summer.

The Lakers Stand Pat at the Trade Deadline

Considering all of the rumors heading into the trade deadline this season, making no moves at all might be the most shocking move of all.

The Los Angeles Lakers came out of All-Star Weekend and won three straight, including a 10-point victory over the Miami Heat. 

Since then, however, the team has dropped back-to-back road games against the struggling Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards.

The team as it stands is a talented squad, but they're struggling in certain areas that seemingly need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

The team will likely compete in the playoffs as-is, but if they want to make a deep run this season, standing pat might be cause for concern to most Lakers fans.