Lakers Trade Rumors: Examining Buzz Regarding Goran Dragic and Jeremy Lin

The Los Angeles Lakers have just under three days to fix the mess that has been the 2014-15 season.

Of course, "fix" is a word used in a relative sense here. There's absolutely nothing L.A. can do to remedy the 13-40 record it currently boasts just a couple of days out of All-Star Weekend. In this situation, "fix" means that general manager Mitch Kupchak needs to look ahead to the 2015-16 season, one that will likely be Kobe Bryant's last in the Association.

So what can Kupchak do in the next 72 hours or so to set himself up for success next season? For one, he needs to trade away the few assets he has. Second, he needs to establish the organization as a legitimate contender for free agents in the offseason. It's not easy to completely admit defeat, but it has to be done.

Below, you'll read about the latest rumblings out of Laker Land.

 

Goran Dragic



Goran Dragic is the point guard the Lakers need, as well as the point guard the Lakers want.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that "the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are among many teams expected to try to persuade the Phoenix Suns to part with star guard Goran Dragic before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, according to league sources."

Dragic is a perfect fit on the talentless, point guard-deprived squad, but the team shouldn't go after him at the deadline. Right now, the goal is to tank. Creatively speaking, the goal is to "give the young guys a chance and see what they can do."

Translation: tank.

The Lakers are in line for a second consecutive year with a high pick in Round 1. Last year, the team took Julius Randle at No. 7. Currently with the fourth-worst record in the NBA, Los Angeles has a good chance of obtaining a top-five pick.



The team better hope it earns one, because it'll have to forfeit its selection to...

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