Lakers Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Goran Dragic Trade, Miles Plumlee and More
Life is bleak for Los Angeles Lakers fans right now. The team is 13-40 and has very little to look forward to in the short term on the court, lest it finds a way to make a major move at the trade deadline.
The Lakers have few assets to sell and little incentive to buy, as they need to finish in the league's bottom five in order to retain a protected first-round draft pick that could go to the Phoenix Suns as a result of the Steve Nash deal.
However, trade rumors abound regarding the Lakers, and wouldn't you know it, the Suns could be potential deadline partners should the latest chatter pan out.
Not all buzz is trade related, however, as the Lakers' plans this upcoming summer are in many ways just as intriguing as what may come to pass before the Thursday trade deadline.
Here is a look at some of the buzz surrounding the Lakers.
Goran Dragic and Miles Plumlee
It's become increasingly obvious that the Los Angeles Lakers would love to see Goran Dragic in purple and gold at some point.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported on Feb. 13 that the Lakers are willing to offer Dragic big money this offseason if/when he becomes a free agent:
"The Lakers, meanwhile, also have coveted Dragic for some time and likewise are said to be intent on testing the Suns' resolve when it comes to their Slovenian point guard. Sources say L.A. plans to chase Dragic this summer anyway with an aggressive four-year offer that would be valued as high as an estimated $80 million if it approaches max-contract territory.
"
However, it appears the Lakers could have him much sooner than that. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Dragic's camp has let the Suns know that the Slovenian slasher doesn't plan to sign an extension this season:
This could force Phoenix's hand and pressure the team into trading him before the deadline or risk seeing him walk this summer and thus get nothing in return. If the former scenario does indeed happen, Wojnarowski passed along Dragic's apparent preferred destinations:
"The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks are among preferred destinations for Goran Dragic, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 18, 2015"
The Lakers should like their chances on that short list, although USA Today's Sam Amick reports the list could be a bit longer:
Dragic, who's averaging 16.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game this season, would be an ideal fit for the Lakers—although you could substitute a number of different teams into that statement.
Working alongside Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe in Phoenix has in some ways expanded his game. His ability to succeed in both guard spots makes him an especially enticing prospect for the Lakers. He can slot in alongside Kobe Bryant (next season) or Nick Young in the backcourt, as well as take over scoring duties should either player succumb to injury or struggle from the floor on a given night.
The possibilities are intriguing, but it could be tough for the Lakers to pry him from Phoenix. Wojnarowski reports the Suns' demands could be steep:
The Lakers can certainly offer draft picks, but All-Star-caliber players? Not so much. It's true that Phoenix needs frontcourt depth behind Markieff Morris and Alex Len. The Lakers could offer Jordan Hill, who has a $9 million team option for next season. However, that might not be enough to get Phoenix to pull the trigger, and the other teams eyeing Dragic could come through with much stronger offers.
Even if a Dragic deal isn't in the cards, the Lakes and Suns could still do deadline business together, per Amick:
Plumlee is a 6'11" center, putting up 4.3 points and pulling down 5.1 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per contest. He's not nearly as exciting as his Suns teammate and would probably feel like a consolation prize should the Lakers land him instead of Dragic.
The Lakers have a smattering of frontcourt options as it stands, but that could change this summer. There is no guarantee they bring back either Carlos Boozer or Ed Davis, who has proved to be worth far more than the $1.1 million he is set to earn if he exercises his player option for 2015.
If the team is concerned with center depth this summer, prying Plumlee from Phoenix by perhaps offering late draft picks is a scenario worth exploring.
Jeremy Lin
There is no doubt that this has been a lost season for Los Angeles, and if there is one player who embodies that concept, it might be point guard Jeremy Lin.
The 26-year-old has struggled in his first, and possibly only, season in purple and gold. Lin's averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 assists per contest with a 14.00 player efficiency rating, via ESPN.com. He's started just 23 of 52 games this year, finding himself riding the pine at tip-off while the likes of Jordan Clarkson and Ronnie Price get the starting nod.
“It’s been so up and down with the consistency,” head coach Bryon Scott said, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “Every single night, you’re getting something different.”
It's been a rough ride to be sure, and there's a chance Lin won't return to L.A., as he's set to become a free agent this summer.
According to Bleacher Report's Howard Beck, a former employer will likely have their sights set on Lin this summer if he becomes available:
"The Rockets remain high on Lin and are expected to be among his chief suitors this summer."
Bringing Lin back makes sense for both parties. Houston can slot him comfortably back into the platoon system with Patrick Beverley, and there is always a need for facilitators in a backcourt that features James Harden. The move also affords Lin a chance to decompress after a year of facing the hyper-scrutiny of the Los Angeles media market.
Considering the Lakers' apparent interest in Dragic and the proposition of an impatient, win-now-or-else Bryant mentality governing the team in the 2015, the inconsistent Lin might not fit into the team's plans next season.
He's had a tough time adjusting to the Los Angeles spotlight and making his presence felt on an aimless squad that has desperately needed production and leadership from the point guard spot this season. Look for several teams in need of guard depth to pursue Lin this summer, with the Lakers possibly only showing mild interest in retaining him.
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
