Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: 5 Players They're Pursuing at the Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of some help both at the starting point guard position and in adding some reliable, consistent depth to the bench.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, there are several players the team has been reportedly looking at, who they could really use.

The good thing is that the team has lots of tradable assets both in players and in trade exceptions and draft picks. According to HoopsStats.com, the Lakers have the lowest rated bench in the NBA, only scoring about 20 points a game. Some of these new players could help bring that average up and give the starting unit some much needed help.

While there are some multi-player trades that would take place, these are some single-player trade options the Lakers should consider.

Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley is a guy the Lakers have been reportedly looking at, according to Matt Brooks of the Washington Post. There was a deal for him, but as reported by John Ireland of ESPN, the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted both of the Lakers' first-round draft picks, which the team wasn't willing to part with.

Beasley is currently averaging 11.6 points a game, 4.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists. Those are some points the Lakers could desperately use off the bench since they are the lowest ranked in the NBA.

While he could quickly work his way into the starting lineup, the addition of Beasley would be a great move for the team, and they wouldn't have to give up any players.

Ramon Sessions

Ramon Sessions has been in the trades talk for the last few months because of what he would bring to the team and how little they would have to give up to get him.

According to HoopsWorld.com, Sessions is not likely to exercise his $4.5 million player option before next season, so his current team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, are looking to trade him and get some value.

Sessions is averaging 10 points per game, three rebounds and five assists. With the aging Derek Fisher at point, there's a chance that Sessions could possibly be starting by the end of the season. But even off the bench, he'd offer some consistency in scoring. This would allow the Lakers some flexibility at that position since Steve Blake is currently backing up Fisher.

Raymond Felton

Raymond Felton is an interesting name that has jumped into the conversation on occasion. According to a report on CSNNW.com, there were “exploratory talks” between the two teams about acquiring Felton. He expressed to CSNNW.com that he thought his coach didn't trust him.

This is a reason that he may not be playing up to expectations this season for the Portland Trail Blazers, a team that's already had a rocky start to the season. He's averaging 10.3 PPG, two rebounds and 6.2 assists, which have remained fairly consistent throughout the season. The Lakers would need to give up Blake, reportedly, to make this trade happen.

Kirk Hinrich

Kirk Hinrich is a name that has been in the Lakers trade conversation recently as well. The 30-year-old guard has been playing for the Atlanta Hawks and makes $8.1 million a year. This means the Lakers could work with the Hawks, since their Lamar Odom trade exception is worth $8.9 million, according to Mark Stein of ESPN.

"The Hawks, as always, want to reduce payroll and would gladly take a future draft pick back for Hinrich, who's no longer part of their plans," Stein wrote. 

While the Lakers would get to keep all their players, the age of Hinrich is a concern for many since the Lakers are not very young currently. A benefit of Hinrich, though, is that he is a free agent after this year, so the Lakers don't have to worry about bribing on an expensive long-term contract. Hinrich's averages are five points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Will Bynum

Will Bynum of the Detroit Pistons is a backup option for the Los Angeles Lakers if they don't get one of their other preferences like Hinrich or Sessions, according to Sean Corp of DetroitBadBoys.com.

This is a trade that would happen near the deadline, when other options have been exhausted. They report that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak likes Bynum “for his explosiveness and ability to create shots for others.”

This season, Bynum has come back from an injury and hasn't regained his roster spot, leaving him waiting in the wings. The Lakers would have to trade very little, like a high-round,—but not first—draft pick.

Bynum also wouldn't hurt their payroll too much since he has one more $3.2 million season left on his contract. Bynum's stats are low, but that's due to his low playing minutes. Rarely playing over 10 minutes, he averages 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.