NBA Rumors: With No Trades, Lakers Work Out Smith, Collison

The Los Angeles Lakers hardly made any key moves at the NBA trade deadline but adding more players remains a possibility. They will be working out J.R. Smith and Darren Collison, two names that have been linked to the purple and gold in the past.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the Lakers plan to work out the veteran duo after not making any moves at the trade deadline. There were several targets linked to the Lakers like Marcus Morris and Andre Iguodala. But with limited assets, Los Angeles was unable to get anything done.

It should be noted, however, that the Lakers said they would just try to improve through trades. Kyle Kuzma was the center of attention for months but Los Angeles ended up keeping the 24-year-old forward. The good news is that he will stay on until the end of the 2019-20 NBA season but his playing time is questionable.

That may all hinge on how impressed the Lakers are with Smith, Collison or anyone else they plan to work out. Of the two, Collison should have the lead in getting signed first. Los Angeles needs another playmaker, a natural point guard who can help relieve LeBron James of playmaking duties. But if the Lakers plan to get him, they need to do it fast. The crosstown Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in getting the 32-year-old veteran guard, NBA.com reported.

Smith, on the other hand, could be a sensible addition as well. There is no question that he can score and defend, something that can help the Lakers in a lot of ways. It would also reunite him with James, a former teammate of his with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

However, if the Lakers do end up wanting to get Collison and/or Smith, they would need to cut someone from the active roster. Los Angeles has 17 players on its active list. A potential candidate could be DeMarcus Cousins, someone who has not played at all this season due to an ACL injury. If not him, one of the vets could get the pink slip. In all, the Lakers need to free up at least one roster spot to add another player.