LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Lakers want All-Star-level player for their 1st round picks, team linked to New York Knicks star, and more
The LA Lakers have now lost three straight games and are five games below .500. Several NBA insiders expect them to be active before the February 9 deadline. However, the latest rumors suggest that the Lakers want an All-Star-level player in exchange for their first-round picks.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were recently linked to Cam Reddish of the New York Knicks. It's not the first time they have been rumored to be interested in Reddish, who recently fell out of the Knicks' rotation.
Here is the latest LA Lakers rumors roundup for December 10, brought to you by Sportskeeda.
LA Lakers want an All-Star-level player for their 1st round picks
The past few weeks have shown that the LA Lakers can fight for a playoff spot. However, their front office will need to improve their roster if they want a real shot at making it back to the postseason.
The Lakers are loaded with a couple of unprotected first-round picks that might interest teams. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers would only part ways with their prized picks in exchange for an All-Star-caliber player.
"Their strategy remains the same, which is, we know what their assets are — the '27 and ’29 unprotected first-round picks," Wojnarowski said. "They're not going to use the picks unless they can get back essentially an All-Star-level player. And it remains to be seen if those kind of players are available at the deadline."
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LA Lakers linked to Cam Reddish of the New York Knicks
The New York Knicks acquired Cam Reddish from the Atlanta Hawks last season. However, Reddish has failed to make an impact in New York. He could be available for the right price, and the LA Lakers are one of the teams interested.
SNY's Ian Begley reported a couple of days ago that the Lakers, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks could battle it out for Reddish. The Lakers have already had preliminary discussions with the Knicks, but they need a third team to make the trade work.
Before falling out of the rotation, Reddish was averaging 8.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He was shooting 44.9% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
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LA Lakers not making the first move in potential trades
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the LA Lakers are not actively trying to make a trade. The Lakers are reportedly going down the slow route before the February 9 trade deadline. Shelburne even noted that the Lakers did not want to make the first move.
"My sense from talking to people around the league is they are not necessarily motivated right now to go do something big," Shelburne said. "Unless something big presented itself to them. They're waiting for their phone to ring, rather than to call."
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