Under-the-Radar Moves Los Angeles Lakers Could Make

With the Feb. 20 NBA trade deadline around the corner, trade rumors coming from the Los Angeles Lakers continue to include two-time champion Pau Gasol—big surprise.

The Phoenix Suns appear to be a possible suitor for the Spaniard, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein, but there’s no guarantee the free-agent-to-be will get moved in the coming weeks. The Lakers front office, however, can still set its sights on under-the-radar moves to make an impact down the road.

Aside from their 2014 first-round draft pick, the Lakers don’t have many assets to trade. They have a handful of players whose contracts are set to expire at season’s end, so they may be able to flip those pieces for different role players.

The potential blockbuster Gasol trade will continue to dominate headlines, and while the Lakers won’t be able to put together an enticing package for a big name, they can still make some changes to an admittedly lackluster roster.

 

Role Player Swap

Again, the Lakers don’t have anyone on the roster whom other NBA teams are clamoring over. As a result, they’ll have to aim low with potential trades.

One deal that makes sense for both sides includes the lowly Milwaukee Bucks.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Bucks will do everything in their power to move 29-year-old guard Gary Neal.



The former San Antonio Spurs player got into a verbal altercation with teammate Larry Sanders following a 116-110 loss against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 4. According to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Neal shouted at Sanders, “I earned my money. Why don’t you try it?”

Sanders is obviously a bigger piece for the Bucks franchise at this point, so it makes sense for the Bucks to try to move Neal as a means of improving team chemistry.



Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers