Lakers veterans Brandon Bass, Nick Young and Lou Williams are available on the trade market, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. So, too, is Roy Hibbert, Stein writes, advancing an earlier report from Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders that the Lakers are looking to trade the center to a likely playoff team. It’s all seemingly a recognition of the inevitable for the Lakers front office, with the team just one loss behind the Sixers in the Reverse Standings and legitimate hope of a playoff berth dashed. All except Hibbert have at least one year left on their respective contracts, as Stein points out, though Bass could hit free agency this summer if he turns down his $3.135MM player option for next season.
Bass has taken a reduced role since signing with the Lakers this past offseason, coming off the bench in all 40 appearances and averaging 18.0 minutes per game after making 43 starts and playing 23.5 minutes a night last year with the Celtics. Brad Stevens remains a fan, though he’s not quite the star target the Celtics have long been coveting.
It’s no surprise to see Young on the block, since the Lakers reportedly explored the market for him this past summer before retreating from the effort, having found no worthwhile offers. Young said he found the trade rumors “confusing” and “motivating”, and he’s seen his playing time cut drastically. The 30-year-old who’s making more than $5.219MM this season is averaging only 7.7 points in 19.1 minutes per game, his lowest numbers in either category since 2007/08, his rookie season. Young’s contract runs through 2017/18, a player option year.
The free agent acquisition of Williams helped marginalize Young in the Lakers rotation. The NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year is having the best season statistically among those the team has apparently placed on the market, averaging the same 15.5 points per game he did last year. He signed a three-year, $21MM deal this past summer.
It’s unclear exactly what the Lakers want in exchange for their veterans, though presumably they’re looking for assets that could help them next season and beyond. They’re only barely above the salary cap with about $72MM in team salary, so cost-cutting is unlikely a major concern.
Who or what do you think the Lakers should target in return for their vets? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.
Draft picks
Draft picks or young players with potential
Think trading Williams without consider his role for next year is a mistake, the rest of the guys I get
A bag of chips.
Wb to Charlotte for PJ Hairston/Brian Roberts/Hansborough (last two expiring). That package would work for Lou or Swaggy P.
Bass + Wiiliams for Noah + picks
Bulls could use Williams and Bass would fit, if he opts out oh well, Young can take his neon shoes elsewhere, Hibbert will be tough to move anywhere but Dallas.
Williams could get you a late first but without him, there would be no offense this season for the lakers making the fans not want to come if the team can’t even reach 90 pts. Keep Williams, let him stay as the SIXTH MAN, trade young bass Hibbert and huertas and Kelly and sacre
At best they second round picks. As article stated they all only have 1 yr left on there contracts
Williams has 2 years after this so does young
4 Team Trade! (Memphis, Cleveland, LA and NO)
Memphis gets Julius Randle and DeAngelo Russell from the Lakers
Lakers get Kevin Love, Tyreke Evans, Chalmers and Kendrick Perkins
Cavs get Ryan Anderson, Courtney Lee and Hibbert
Pelicans get Jeff Green, Lou Williams and Mozgov
Memphis gets Russell and Randle for green and Lee and chalmers? Nope
I wonder if Dallas goes after hibbert. Remember this past off season the Mavs looked at Hibbert before looking at DJ after he sign back with the Clippers ( FYI: Clippers are trying to move DJ). So maybe Dallas would be a good fit for Hibbert having him sit on the bench with zaza and Mcgee and Powell pretty decent. As for Swaggy P, he should go to a championship team and I believe the raptors would love to have him. He could be the next Lou Williams. And as for Lou Williams well I think he will stay with the Lakers I don’t think the Lakers can move him after the kind of deal that they sign him for
It would be next to impossible for the Mavs to match salaries for Hibbert. Best bet his Hibbert staying put
Trade them all but Williams! Hibbert blew an opportunity to resurrect his carrier. Bass seems out of place. Nick Young is a one trick pony and is way over paid. Lou Williams is a great player. The Lakers can use him as a sixth man the next 2 years and get 15 a game from him. That’s hard to find in the NBA!