Lakers Trade Rumors: Lake Show Still In the Mix for Raymond Felton

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers would like to contend for a championship in 2012.

For that to happen, they must acquire a point guard by Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

While many eyes have been on Boston's Rajon Rondo or Cleveland's Ramon Sessions, Mitch Kupchak may have his eyes on another guard altogether.

That would be Portland's Raymond Felton.

According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, a proposed deal would send Felton to the Lakers in exchange for point guard Steve Blake and another piece still being discussed.

According to Berger:

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Rival executives believe the Blazers are interested in exploring a swap of Felton to the Lakers for Steve Blake, with L.A. sending another piece to make the salaries match and compensate the Blazers for getting the better player and future cost savings in the deal. The Portland coaching staff and front office are comfortable with Blake, who could provide a calming presence as the team battles through numerous distractions.

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Felton is in the middle of the worst season of his career, averaging only 10.3 PPG and 6.2 APG, while shooting career lows from the floor (.384) and from three-point range (.250).

For the Lakers, they are banking on a change of scenery helping Felton, who's still better than Mike Brown's current options.

He's signed throughout the season, and his $7.5 million salary will fit in under the trade exemption acquired in the Lamar Odom trade.

For Portland, they would love to get rid of Felton. They have already been benched him once this season and many view him as one of the problems in the Portland locker room.

If a deal goes through it would be Blake's third go-around in a Blazers uniform. He's a serviceable point guard to help Portland get by until it figures out what direction the franchise wants to head in.

It's a deal that could make sense for both sides. Kupchak will be hoping that he's getting the Felton who was productive for the New York Knicks at the beginning of last season before being dealt to Denver as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade.

In 54 games as a Knick, Felton averaged 17.1 PPG and 9.0 APG.

While Brown's system differs from that of Mike D'Antoni in every possible way, the Lakers could be hoping there's still some of that left in Felton.