Report: Lakers Trade Talks for Starter Heat up, Deal Expected Soon

The Los Angeles Lakers may soon trade for a starter. The Houston Rockets are almost ready to trade P.J. Tucker. Rings a bell? Will Rob Pelinka go for the player?

Shams Charania from The Athletic reported that Houston is likely going to deal Tucker “sooner rather than later.” Guess what… LA isn’t the only team in contention for the talented player.

“The Rockets have a veteran player who has the intrigue of many of the league’s contenders: Forward PJ Tucker,” Charania explained. “The Nets, Bucks, Heat, Nuggets and Lakers are expressing interest in Tucker, sources said. Multiple teams have sensed a deal could develop sooner rather than later for Tucker, but the timing is likely dependent on the Rockets’ asking price. As of now, Houston has sought a young player back in a trade, sources said. Tucker, 35, is a versatile forward who’s able to defend multiple positions.”

Lakers to trade for a starter

NBA teams should complete their deals by the NBA trade deadline on March 25. According to Charania’s latest report, Tucker may leave the Rockets before the deadline.

Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN has the same list of suitors. He didn’t list the Nuggets though. The Lakers, Nets, Bucks, and Heat have “expressed interest” in Tucker.

Bobby Marks from ESPN detailed the potential Lakers-Rockets deal.

“For example, the Lakers’ lone option to acquire the Rockets’ P.J. Tucker ($7.9 million) is to send out $7 million in salary (a combination of Wesley Matthews, Alfonzo McKinnie and Jared Dudley) and still have enough money to sign a free agent to fill out the roster after the imbalance trade,” Marks explained.

The Rockets big man is in the final season of his four-year deal worth $31.8 million. He has a reasonable $7.9 million salary, as confirmed by Spotrac. Tucker is averaging 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, .9 steals and .6 block in 32 starts with Houston.

The Lakers may end up passing on a potential trade for the big man. They may sign other players from the buyout market. The Los Angeles Times suggests that NBA execs have linked LA to Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside.

“Rival scouts and executives believe the Lakers are looking for upgrades in their frontcourt,” the Los Angeles Times detailed. “Obviously, Cleveland’s Andre Drummond would be high on their wish list if bought out. Rival executives have wondered if the Lakers could either try to add Sacramento’s Hassan Whiteside or maybe even reunite with JaVale McGee if the former Laker gets bought out and becomes a free agent.”