Metro
Rockets Veteran Emerges as Lakers Trade Target
The Los Angeles Lakers are anticipated to be busy on the commerce deadline and a reputation that has emerged for the staff is veteran guard Eric Gordon.
A current article from Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus breaking down the commerce buzz in NBA recognized Eric Gordon and Terrance Ross as extra sensible targets for the Lakers than massive names like Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant or Myles Turner. Right here’s what Pincus needed to say concerning the Lakers’ choices:
Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers have designs on Simmons, Turner and Grant, the franchise might not have sufficient to get a deal performed. Westbrook’s contract is all however unmovable. Talen Horton-Tucker hasn’t taken a step ahead in his third season. A extra probably marketplace for the Lakers may be Terrence Ross of the Orlando Magic or Eric Gordon of the Rockets, offered both staff desires to take a flyer on Horton-Tucker as a prospect.
As Pincus notes, to get Gordon the staff would probably must deal Horton-Tucker and cobble collectively another salaries to make the numbers work. That would both come by way of a bevy of their minimal gamers or Kendrick Nunn, who has but to play this season.
Gordon Could be Key Contributor for Lakers
Gordon is a confirmed veteran and succesful scorer, averaging 16.5 factors for his profession. The previous Sixth Man of the 12 months is caught on the Rockets, who’re skewing youthful and sit at simply 15-32 — the worst within the Western Convention.
Gordon is averaging 14.9 factors on a career-best 50.5 p.c from the sphere this season. He’s hitting his 3-pointers at a forty five.5 p.c clip and is including 3.3 assists.
The Rockets have a steep asking value of a first-round choose for Gordon, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Lakers must watch out about not overreacting to their 21-22 document and quit an excessive amount of for the well-paid 33-year-old guard. The staff is already struggling on the defensive finish and has not had a chance to see its fully-assembled roster in motion. Anthony Davis continues to be out, as is Nunn.
Westbrook Unbothered by Commerce Rumors
The Lakers may go one other route on the commerce deadline, which might be discovering a commerce to half methods with star guard Russell Westbrook. The Lakers altered their franchise by buying and selling for Westbrook this offseason however issues haven’t gone as deliberate — each due to accidents and his model of play. The Lakers must discover a suitor for Westbrook’s cumbersome $44.2 million this season and a participant choice for $47 million subsequent season.
It’s been reported that the Lakers have shopped Westbrook this season however he’s not phased by it.
“I by no means fear,” Westbrook informed Sam Amick of The Athletic. “Do the job. Be skilled. Yearly, my identify is in commerce (rumors). It by no means, by no means, by no means seeps into how I method what I do. It’s form of what I used to be mentioning again there (through the press convention). I see this sport so totally different (when it comes to) how one can use it to have the ability to influence issues
“No matter if (a commerce) did occur or if it didn’t occur, nothing’s going to vary my mentality or my objective. I really feel like I’ve a objective that’s larger than basketball and I at all times maintain that as my forefront no matter what occurs inside of professional sports activities.”
The commerce deadline is February 10.
