Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Has Contacted Pistons About Reggie Bullock
The Los Angeles Lakers have reached out to the Detroit Pistons regarding guard Reggie Bullock, but "Detroit hasn't been very interested in moving him for what they've been offered," per Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times.
Entering Saturday, Bullock posted 11.8 points on 40.3 percent shooting in 41 games. He also knocked down 37.1 percent of his three-pointers.
Per Ganguli, Bullock is making $2.5 million this season, which is the final year of his current deal.
Bullock drilled 44.5 percent of his three-pointers last season, so he's capable of lighting it up from deep. That's a skill the Lakers covet right now, as Los Angeles is fourth-worst in the league in three-point percentage.
The Lakers' issue is whether the Pistons are looking to be sellers or buyers at the deadline. On the seller side, Detroit is just on the outside looking into the playoff picture with a 22-29 record. The Pistons don't look like a true Eastern Conference contender as currently constructed, with the team last in three-point percentage and sixth-last in offensive efficiency.
Team owner Tom Gores spoke with Rod Beard of the Detroit News on Tuesday, however, and expressed his desire for his team to stay competitive.
"I have not lost faith in this team. There is something there; we just need some time. We want to win. Nothing's changed; we want to make the playoffs. To me, the future is a little bit about now. Everybody can decide what they want but we have enough here. We do really have two All-Stars with Andre and Blake. Dwane (Casey) just got here; he just started. I have a buyer's mentality, although I'm open to anything. We'll just see what happens."
That would seem to indicate the Pistons won't give up easily. In fairness, Detroit is just 2.5 games back of the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot, with no teams sitting in between them.
But the Pistons also just lost a 10-point home game to the Los Angeles Clippers after being up by as many as 23 points in the third quarter, so it's possible the team's mentality could change if the slide continues as the Thursday trade deadline approaches. Detroit hosts the 36-15 Denver Nuggets on Monday and visits the 10-41 New York Knicks on Tuesday beforehand.
