Lakers Starter Reportedly on Trade Block, Vet Guard Responds to Rumors

Some NBA experts believe the Los Angeles Lakers would shop Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and this trade deal makes perfect sense at the moment. The Lakers have lost three straight games since LeBron James sustained an injury. They lost to the New Orleans Pelicans and it was a painful 128-111 loss. Well, we all know that LeBron and Anthony Davis had a big impact on the floor. AD has been out for more than a month. As everyone noticed, LA is not a playoff team without LeBron. The Lakers are facing more trade rumors.

The trade deadline is set on Thursday and Rob Pelinka may make a few moves now. Head coach Frank Vogel is happy with the current group and he wouldn’t make a change. But, it’s more than obvious that LA could use an extra hand at the moment.

Lakers to take action following trade rumors

KCP hasn’t really elevated his game. He scored 10 points in the last three games despite joining the starting lineup. The veteran guard has hit just two threes. Brian Windhorst from ESPN said the Lakers may soon trade KCP.

“The Lakers have been working the phone since the LeBron injury looking for wing players,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s The Jump. “The problem is that they don’t really have a whole heck of a lot to offer. They have discussed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in trade scenarios, but from what I am told they are not willing to include a draft pick, or their best young player, which is Talen Horton-Tucker, and without those two things to grease, I don’t know if they’re going to get the kind of wing that could make a difference.”

LA could get a better return for KCP earlier in the season. The guard was making over 50% of his 3-pointers and now he is pretty inconsistent. Talen Horton-Tucker won’t leave the team at this point. So, yes, KCP may have to go.

Caldwell-Pope didn’t pay much attention to the trade rumors. However, he heard a few rumors and here is his reaction:

“I really haven’t paid attention if I’m in trade rumors, that’s not something I really have control of,” Caldwell-Pope said after Tuesday’s loss, via Ryan Ward. “I’m trying to focus on what I can control.”