Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest on Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and More

There are impact players who can be had in the weeks leading up to the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 19, but will the Los Angeles Lakers be one of the teams to make a splash?

Despite a 12-29 record, the Lakers might be pushed to make a deal because of the organization's pride. Putting a competitive product on the floor is important to general manager Mitch Kupchak, even if it means sacrificing the future of the franchise.

The future is certainly now with Kobe Bryant telling Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times that he could very well retire following the season: "I'd be lying if I said that it hasn't crossed my mind. Right now I doubt it ... but anything's possible.''

A blockbuster trade might entice the Black Mamba to return for one final season, in which the Lakers would certainly go all in during the offseason to ensure that the team would be highly competitive.

Will any of the following names find themselves wearing purple and gold next season? Read on to learn about the latest rumors.

Brook Lopez

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Brooklyn Nets are a mediocre team with a couple of valuable veterans, making them ideal candidates to have a small sale in the weeks prior to the deadline. Their most attractive piece is center Brook Lopez, who is averaging 15 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nets have had discussions with teams playing in the opposite conference:

For context, check out what Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks it would take the Miami Heat to acquire Lopez:

The Lakers really don't have a similar package they can offer. Los Angeles would have to offer Steve Nash, Jordan Clarkson and Ed Davis to make the salaries work, but it's unlikely that the Nets would have any interest in an expiring contract and two semi-valuable players. Clarkson has little experience. Davis has been solid, but he's not the type of return one would expect for Lopez.

Acquiring a big man should be the least of L.A.'s worries anyway. Looking ahead to next season, Jordan Hill, Julius Randle, Robert Sacre and Tarik Black are all under contract. What you see is what you get from Sacre, but Hill has performed well in big minutes and Randle and Black have ceilings that have yet to be reached.

Instead, Kupchak should focus on bringing in a capable running mate for Bryant. Nick Young can score in bunches, but someone who shoots 36.9 percent from the floor cannot be relied on consistently by one of the game's best ever.

A capable point guard would also aid tremendously. Ronnie Price has played the majority of minutes over Jeremy Lin and Clarkson, but none of the three have much potential to cash in.

Seeking upgrades in the backcourt would make sense for Kupchak. Acquiring Lopez won't provide the long-term boost that shoring up both guard positions will.

Greg Monroe and Brandon Jennings

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Kupchak is apparently pretty focused on adding size to the team. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne tweets that he has had his eye on a Detroit Pistons big man, among other players:

Greg Monroe is enjoying another productive campaign, posting per-game totals of 14.9 points and 9.7 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per night. At 6'11" and 253 pounds, Monroe uses his frame to body opponents in the post—hence his frequency to produce double-doubles.

He's arguably more valuable than Lopez given his ability to rebound and defend, but that still doesn't make him a better fit. The same reasons apply as above—there are already more affordable options in place for next season.

Shelburne's report also mentioned guard Brandon Jennings, who is certainly a far better fit.

Ron Turenne/Getty Images

The lefty is having a great season. On pace for career bests in turnovers (2.1), free-throw percentage (85.2), three-point percentage (37.8) and even something as small as personal fouls (1.6), Jennings has matured and played a more refined, efficient, productive game in his second season with Detroit.

The discipline he has displayed makes him a good fit next to Bryant, yet the Pistons probably aren't inclined to move him for anything less than a king's ransom. He's leading the way during the unpredictable 11-2 run the Pistons have enjoyed since parting way with Josh Smith.

Their 16-25 record isn't playoff-worthy, but a team trending upward rarely just gives away stars.

A lack of assets would force Kupchak to dip into his collection of future draft picks to obtain Jennings. That's not beneficial to the long-term future of the Lakers, but it's something he'll have to do if he wants to turn this mediocre squad into a true contender in what might be Bryant's last season.

Jennings fits, but it'll be interesting to see what it costs.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn