NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Could Add PG After 2020 Trade Deadline, Eyeing Former Cavs Guard
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make a trade at Thursday’s deadline, but they can still make a significant addition for a potential run to the 2020 NBA Finals. L.A. has been linked to Darren Collison, who is expected to end his brief retirement.
Collison, 32, called it quits this past summer after 10 NBA seasons. It was reported a month ago that the point guard was considering a return to the league, hoping to land with either the Lakers or Clippers.
Unlike the Lakers, the Clippers were very active at the deadline, making a deal to acquire Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas. The Clippers’ addition of Thomas makes it much more likely that Collison will choose to play with the Lakers.
League sources have long believed that Darren Collison's preference is the Lakers over the Clippers. With Isaiah Thomas now going to the Clippers, it's reasonable to expect the Lakers to eventually sign Collison.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 6, 2020
The trade deadline came and went for the Lakers without a deal. They have a full 15-man roster, but will survey the buyout market to see if anyone becomes available worth waiving a current player in order to acquire him. Darren Collison is also a free agent PG they'll look at.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 6, 2020
The Lakers are expected to give free agent guard JR Smith a post-trade deadline audition (perhaps as soon as next week) and remain favorites to sign Darren Collison if Collison elects to make a comeback to the NBA -- in addition to potential pickups on the buyout market
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2020
The Lakers had been searching for a point guard in the trade market. The team reportedly had discussions with the Detroit Pistons about Derrick Rose, but the 2011 NBA MVP was never dealt.
The Lakers had been targeting Morris. The New York Knicks reportedly wanted Kyle Kuzma, but the Lakers were unwilling to trade the forward.
Collison averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 76 games with the Indiana Pacers in the 2018-2019 season. He has shot better than 40% from three-point range in each of his last four seasons.
J.R. Smith hasn’t played since Nov. 19, 2018. He averaged 8.3 points and shot 37.5% from three-point range in the 2017-2018 season.
LeBron James is essentially the Lakers’ starting point guard, leading the NBA with 10.7 assists per game. Rajon Rondo is averaging 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game off the bench.
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