The Los Angeles Lakers will most likely be missing out on the playoffs again this year, and that means that the team may be in prime position to deal some of its rotation players.
With the Feb. 18 trade deadline looming, now is the time to determine which current Lakers might soon become members of other National Basketball Association (NBA) teams.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, one Laker who will likely be moved before the trade deadline is forward Brandon Bass.
Bass is a capable perimeter shooter who's also willing to mix it up in the post, and he could be a solid addition for teams looking for frontcourt help.
One possible stumbling block that could hinder a Bass trade is the forward's currently ailing foot. Still, Bass remains a logical trade chip for the team, and he figures to be moved soon unless his injury figures to be more serious than previously thought.
Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert could also be traded to a new team within the next few weeks.
Hibbert's size could still be attractive to teams desperate for additional rim protection, and he could be made available for a lower price than other price, thus making him a more reasonable option to consider.
While the Los Angeles Lakers will most likely be sellers this NBA season, that doesn't mean that the team won't be looking to add new talent soon.
The Lakers might even start restocking their roster with young talent as early as this coming summer, and one player who has been mentioned as a potential future member of the team is Toronto's DeMar DeRozan.
According to the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat, the Lakers have long had interest in adding DeRozan to the team.
DeRozan currently has an option to enter free agency this summer, and if he does, then the Los Angeles Lakers may very well decide that he is a suitable replacement for the retiring Kobe Bryant.
Unfortunately for Laker fans, DeRozan is still with the Toronto Raptors and he may very well decide to re-sign with them this summer as well.
The next few months figure to be busy ones for the Los Angeles Lakers, both in terms of trades, and possibly in free agency as well.
