NBA Trade Rumors: Will Lakers, Clippers Make Major Moves Before 2023 Deadline?

With two weeks left until the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are two of the biggest teams to watch. There have been rumors at various points throughout the season that both L.A. teams might make a major splash in pursuit of a championship.

The Lakers have already made the first somewhat notable trade of the 2022-23 season, acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks. The Clippers are reportedly eyeing a handful of players who recently made All-Star teams and could be made available.

Will either the Lakers or Clippers pull the trigger on a big trade before the 2023 deadline?

The Clippers appear poised to make a move, particularly at point guard, within the next couple of weeks. NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that the team is interested in Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley. According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Clippers are interested in Miami Heat veteran Kyle Lowry and Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet.

When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play, the Clippers have arguably the league's top duo. The point guard position has proven to be the team's biggest weakness. Both John Wall and Reggie Jackson are shooting less than 42% from the field. Wall remains an injury concern, and Jackson has a below-average 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Conley and Lowry have plenty of playoff experience, VanVleet was one of Toronto's best players in the 2019 NBA Finals. The Raptors' point guard is expected to be traded if Toronto continues to play like a team that isn't headed to the postseason.

A 2022 All-Star, VanVleet is averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. VanVleet can opt out of his contract and become a free agent in the summer.

The Clippers could also target a backup big man, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, who said on "NBA Today" that the team might look to trade for New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein or Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers seem less likely than the Clippers to make a significant trade. Much has been made about the possibility of the Lakers trading their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. It's still unknown if they are willing to move both selections, according to The Ringer.

The Lakers probably need to trade both first-rounders in order to realistically acquire an All-Star caliber player. The much-rumored deal involving the picks and Russell Westbrook in exchange for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers no longer seems to be an option.

Anthony Davis' return and the Lakers' subsequent play over the next two weeks could determine the team's willingness to part with future first-rounders. Davis is set to come back Wednesday after missing six weeks with a foot injury. The 29-year-old had been putting together an MVP-caliber campaign before getting hurt, averaging 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 59.4% from the field.

LeBron James is still one of the best players in basketball. A decent supporting cast around James and Davis could make the Lakers a dangerous team in the playoffs.

As the No. 13 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers are only 1.5 games out of a spot in the play-in tournament and 2.5 games behind the No. 6 seed Dallas Mavericks. The Clippers are a half-game ahead of the Mavericks and three games in front of the Lakers as the No. 5 seed.

The Clippers beat the Lakers 133-115 Tuesday night. James had 46 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the loss.