KEY POINTS

  • The Lakers may consider trades--involving Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope--to flex their salary cap moving forward
  • The Lakers will try to do everything to keep Schroder in the fold
  • The Lakers are likely to wait until after the March 25 trade deadline to move for free-agent big men

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and there could be teams pulling off some deals. The Los Angeles Lakers are not expected to be one of them, but anything is possible.

If they do opt to pull off a trade, it could be a big surprise for most. A reason seen for the Lakers to not shop on the trading block is to safeguard their backcourt.

The names of Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker and Dennis Schroder are key players that general manager Rob Pelinka may want to keep as Los Angeles tries to do the numbers crunch.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers may embark on a possible trade as a forward-thinking move.

Of the three guards that the Lakers would want to keep is Schroder. Most know that the German player turned down a contract extension previously although it is something that should not be alarming.

Schroder could get more money in the next pitch, the amount of which would depend on who will be staying and going after the current NBA season.

The Lakers are not seen as a team who will be busy by the NBA trade deadline. They don’t have the financial flexibility and the only way they can move and take in new players is via trade.

Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have been singled out as players the Lakers could deal out although the chances of that happening are unlikely.

Caldwell-Pope holds a $13.5 million contract, while Kuzma is not far behind with $13 million per Spotrac.

Both could be moved easily for teams looking for some added veteran presence or young talent that has a bright future.

Moving either or both is seen more as a way to shed some salary space to aid the Lakers in retaining Schroder, Caruso and Talen-Horton Tucker.

Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images | Harry How

However, it would be best to take this with a grain of salt for now. The Lakers are in a hole, and the best they can do is wait for those who will be bought out.

There are free agents like Isaiah Thomas or even Jeremy Lin if Frank Vogel wants more backcourt help.

But as things stand now, Los Angeles needs to figure out its slotman woes. Andre Drummond, Hassan Whiteside and Javale McGee are targets for the Purple and Gold.

However, exploring the future with any of them may not happen until after the Mar. 25 NBA trade deadline.

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