A pair of new reports claim the Los Angeles Lakers have tried to pursue a trade for a beloved former Boston Celtics star and are trying to ship off their most disappointing free-agent signing from this past summer.
The Lakers have passed the midway point of this season as a team fighting to stay above .500 and in the chase for a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Considering the talent on the roster and the money they handed out this summer to keep together a group that went to the Western Conference Finals last year, their results this season have been highly disappointing.
That is why they have been linked to almost every star player allegedly available before the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline. However, a Friday report from Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fisher has revealed an unexpected name the organization has recently tried to acquire.
Fisher claims that both the Lakers and Bucks have reached out about a trade for Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart. But “the Grizzlies have shut down any overtures for the veteran guard, sources said.” Smart would certainly fit the mold of the type of player head coach Darvin Ham would like, and he would also give them the guard depth they have been looking for.
- Marcus Smart stats (2023-24): 14.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.1 SPG 31% 3PT FG
Los Angeles Lakers trying to move Gabe Vincent before the trade deadline
Along with the Marcus Smart rumors, the Yahoo Sports NBA reporter also revealed that “Los Angeles has also been including injured point guard Gabe Vincent, who’s played just five games due to a knee injury, in various trade talks, sources said.”
The former Miami Heat starting point guard was one of the notable new additions the team made to the roster this summer after having a breakout year for the Eastern Conference contender last season. However, a knee injury has cost him much of the season and has made the three-year, $33 million deal they gave him months ago look disastrous.
- Gabe Vincent stats (2023-24): 5 G, 5.4 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 12% 3PT FG
