The Los Angeles Lakers are continuously being linked to a possible trade involving Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins but they also have other options available heading into the deadline.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said that there will be moves before the deadline but made it clear that he is not expecting a blockbuster trade soon. It means Kupchak is also convinced that a trade for Cousins is nearly impossible. After all, Kings general manager Vlade Divac has already made it clear Cousins is not trading block.
With Cousins off the table, NBA analyst David Murphy of Bleacher Report named Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah and Boston Celtics forward David Lee as possible trade targets for the Lakers before the deadline.
Noah has spent his entire nine-year career in Chicago, but the 30-year-old center is struggling to fit into Fred Hoiberg's system unlike during the time of Tom Thibodeau, who loves defensive-minded players like Noah.
The former Florida standout is averaging just 4.5 points on top of 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season. Hoiberg is poised to give rookie Bobby Portis more minutes as the season progresses, which could make Noah a dispensable asset for the Bulls before the deadline.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in December that the Bulls will consider moving Noah -- as well as Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson -- before the trade deadline on Feb. 18. Murphy said that Noah will be an upgrade over Roy Hibbert and a move to acquire the veteran center is not too risky because Noah will become a free agent after the season.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Lakers are willing to give up assets to acquire a player who has been slowed down by numerous injuries over the past several months.
Murphy also named Lee as a potential target for the Lakers. Lee moved to Boston after winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors last season because he is eying more playing time. However, Lee is not getting significant minutes and big role in Boston, which makes him a dispensable asset.
ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne revealed last year that the Lakers eyed a potential deal for Lee before the Warriors eventually moved the former All-Star to the Celtics in the offseason.
The Lakers are not expected to make the playoffs this season but could still pull the trigger on potential trades next month to see if players like Noah and Lee, who both have expiring contracts, will fit into their system.
