Breaking Down Los Angeles Lakers’ Best Trade Bait

As NBA teams start to separate themselves as legitimate playoff contenders, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers are aiming to shake things up via trade. In order to do that, however, the Lakers first have to uncover their best trade bait.

The Lakers are reportedly interested in New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard. Also, Pau Gasol's name has continued to surface in trade rumors, as it has for years.

The Lakers need help to climb back to .500, let alone get themselves into playoff position. No team in the NBA is going to help them out without getting a valuable piece in return.

Due to that, it’s time to break down the Lakers’ best trade bait leading up to the 2013-14 trade deadline.

 

Pau Gasol



 

Gasol’s trade stock has seen a steady decline since the vetoed Chris Paul trade that would have sent the Spaniard to the Houston Rockets in 2011.

The 33-year-old big man averaged a career-low 13.7 points per game in 2012-13 and is shooting a career-low 42.8 percent from the field so far this season. He’s also traded barbs with head coach Mike D’Antoni, per Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

“When I’m not getting the ball where I want to, where I’m most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity,” Gasol said.

D’Antoni responded by saying, “Everybody, to a man, we’ve just got to play harder and worry about things less.”

 

So why would another team in the NBA want to acquire an ornery big man shooting a career worst from the field?

Well, in addition to being a proven champion, Gasol has an expiring contract. His $19.2 million deal is set to come off the books at season’s end, which would provide plenty of ...