NBA Rumors: Lakers Could Cut Deal With Collison After All-Star Break

The Los Angeles Lakers are still in mourning although they are likely to buckle down to business soon. Before the shocking death of Kobe Bryant, the purple and gold were trying to find another playmaker. The names of D.J. Augustine, Derrick Rose and Darren Collison cropped up but nothing has gone down up to now.

Most know how interest on Rose has bogged down while nothing really prospered with Augustine. Collison remains in waiting, after previously announcing that he was ready to come out of retirement. The 32-year-old guard retired abruptly last summer, leaving the Indiana Pacers. Much of this was discussed in a previous report.

With nothing really moving on the Lakers’ hunt, the name of Collison has cropped up once again. It has now become a waiting game for Collison who previously aired that he would be open to joining the Lakers or the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA trade deadline is days away and there is no word if the Lakers plan to pull something off. Kyle Kuzma has been the subject of rumors but the purple and gold will not agree to an unreasonable deal. Just recently, they thumbed down trade pitches involving Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons and Nemanja Bjelica of the Sacramento Kings.

A clearer picture should evolve after Feb. 6. If the Lakers are unable to land that secondary playmaker, expect Collison to be an option. According to Adrian Wojnarowski on "The Woj Pod," it appears the Lakers could bring in the veteran guard after the All-Star break if no trade goes down.

However, there are a couple of questions in the air. One is the current conditioning of Collison. Being out since the offseason, there is no telling if he is in playing shape. The second one is that to accommodate the 21st overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, someone has to go.

There is no telling who could be cut although someone who has not played at all this season could be a candidate. DeMarcus Cousins remains questionable to return this season and he is on a one-year deal. Assuming he can return, Boogie is unlikely to be an asset.

Cutting ties with the temperamental big man would be hard to do, especially if the Lakers have plans for him. But if Los Angeles wants to win it all this year, that is a decision they have to make – regardless if it means cutting someone talented as Cousins.