Advertisement

Guide to the NBA trade deadline: Lakers

The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Los Angeles Lakers’ situation as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT …
The young kids
With draft picks going out for the foreseeable future, the Lakers’ rebuild should focus on Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr.

Even with seven teams in need of a point guard this summer, the Lakers will be in the driver’s seat with Clarkson, a restricted free agent. Give the Lakers’ scouting department credit for finding the second-round player in 2014. Not often do picks found in the late 40s turn into potential building blocks.

Russell has endured ups and downs during his rookie season. The second overall pick in last year’s draft has tremendous upside. This summer will be key for Russell to continue to grow and develop. It is hard to give up on a player who is still only 19 years old.

It's still too early to tell what the Lakers have in D'Angelo Russell. (AP)
It's still too early to tell what the Lakers have in D'Angelo Russell. (AP)

Randle and Nance, both former first-round picks, bring different skill sets each night. The 23-year-old Nance’s hustle, toughness and athleticism are on display every night. Utilizing his size and skill, Randle, 21, has played some of his best basketball in the past few weeks. Still technically a rookie, his rebounding has been at a high level all season.

UP FOR DEBATE
Brandon Bass and Lou Williams
The veterans have value on and off the court for the Lakers. Moving either player would bring the Lakers back to Step One in the rebuilding process. Both players are on manageable contracts, although Bass has a player option for next year. As we saw last July, the Lakers, once a hotbed for free agents, have taken a backseat to some of the smaller market teams.

WORTH TAKING THE CALL
Nick Young
Young’s contract is one of the hardest to trade in the NBA. The Lakers, without any draft assets to attach to Young, will find a small market, if any, for the shooting guard. Young is under contract through the 2017-18 season.

Roy Hibbert
Unlikely to return, the two-time All-Star has seen his overall production drop since his heyday in Indiana. Do not be surprised if Hibbert’s name is mentioned post-deadline as a possible buyout candidate.

NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION
Kobe Bryant
Bryant is one of six players in the NBA with a no-trade clause. The clause comes with the provision that Bryant has total veto power.

Roy Hibbert
Hibbert, who was acquired from Indiana, cannot be traded back to the Pacers during this season.

MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE
None.

TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS
Depends on May’s pingpong balls
The Lakers owe Philadelphia a first-round pick that’s protected Nos. 1-3. If Los Angeles is in the top three of the lottery it will retain it.

But there is a domino effect based on the pick owed to Philadelphia.

If Philadelphia has the Lakers’ pick in 2016:
If the 76ers receive the Lakers’ pick from Nos. 4-30 in 2016, then the Magic will receive a Lakers top-five lottery protected pick in 2018. The pick will turn unprotected in 2019 if Orlando does not receive it.

If Philadelphia has the Lakers’ pick in 2017:
If the Lakers retain their pick in 2016, then the pick owed to Philadelphia will become top-three protected in 2017. Orlando would then receive a 2019 unprotected first from Los Angeles.

If Philadelphia has the Lakers’ pick in 2018:
The 76ers would have a 2018 unprotected first from the Lakers if no pick is transferred in 2016 or ’17. If this were to happen, Orlando would receive 2017 and 2018 second-round picks from the Lakers.

AVAILABLE TRADE EXCEPTIONS
None.

POST-TRADE DEADLINE ROSTER MOVEMENT
The status of coach Byron Scott will be something to watch as the season winds down. The former Laker, in his second year leading the team, has been a lightning rod since arriving in Los Angeles.

SNEAK PEEK TOWARD JULY
The Lakers will be the salary-cap leaders this summer, with roughly $52 million available. That cap space, however, will depend on the free-agent status of Clarkson. Clarkson, 23, will be a restricted free agent with early Bird rights. If Los Angeles signs him, it will have to be using cap space.

With that cap room comes with many holes that need to be filled, especially at starting wing and center.

INSIDER INFO
The Lakers currently cannot trade a first-round pick until 2021. This will change based on the pending conditions with Philadelphia and Orlando.

Previous trade guides:
Knicks | Pelicans | Nets | Spurs | Suns | Hawks | Pistons | Warriors | Celtics | Grizzlies | Bucks | Mavericks | Clippers | Pacers | T’wolves | Cavs | Kings | Heat | Raptors

More NBA coverage from The Vertical: