NBA Los Angeles Lakers

How Kobe Bryant’s Impending Surgery Affects Trade Talks

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By @AnthonyIrwinNBA

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cleveland Cavaliers swung deals for J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov, we thought to ourselves, “Wow, we’re not even a month away from the deadline. There’s no way the deals can continue like this, right?” Trades have followed, but rumblings have certainly slowed.

One team that has remained relatively inactive is the Los Angeles Lakers. However, with news dropping Monday afternoon that Kobe Bryant will opt for surgery on his torn rotator cuff, that stance will probably change.

So, let’s take stock of the Lakers’ assets. Important note: the pickings are pretty slim.

Jordan Hill would hope to help a contender as a productive, energetic big off the bench. His contract is at $9 million for this year and has a team option for the second. Because of the nature of his contract, Hill has to agree to being traded to any team the Lakers send him, or else they’d have to pick up next year’s option. Meaning, any team that acquires Hill would either need his consent or be okay with having him beyond the playoff run.

I still think it’s possible Hill nets a first-round pick from the right playoff contender. The Portland Trail Blazers looked like a potential match before LaMarcus Aldridge went all Willis Reed on everyone, but still seem pretty thin at his position. They aren’t alone in needing a rebounding big with decent mid-range shooting skills, though. Hill is probably the most tradable asset at the Lakers’ disposal.

I already covered the dilemma of gauging Jeremy Lin’s trade value. His cap hit is upwards of $15 million and continues to struggle in Byron Scott’s system. Since I wrote that article, he’s even been benched completely for a game. I’m not sure what might be going on there, but something definitely seems more than a little off in their relationship. Taking that into account, it’s hard to see Lin fetching anything more than a mid-second round draft pick.

Wesley Johnson could provide depth at the small forward for the right team. He has a moveable contract and has something to prove if he wants to stay in the NBA. Interestingly enough, the Los Angeles Clippers are a really good fit. If the Lakers are willing to trade with their hallway rivals, a deal like Johnson and a future second rounder for C.J. Wilcox would work for both teams. The Lakers would get a young shooting guard with some upside and the Clippers could stop playing J.J. Redick at the small forward for extended stretches. It’s a win-win!

Ed Davis brings much of the same as Hill, minus the decent outside shooting. Davis is extremely limited beyond three feet offensively, but protects the rim pretty well and rebounds at a good rate. He has an extremely reasonable contract – so much so that the Lakers might be smart to trade Davis before he walks for nothing in free agency. If they haven’t learned by now with Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard’s departures, they never will.

Lastly, and Lakers fans will hate to hear this, but Nick Young looks more tradable by the day. Sunday night, he was benched by Scott for lack of effort. Young is under contract for the next two years and has a player option for 2017 all at extremely reasonable prices, especially when the cap increases significantly. Swaggy P is obviously a fan favorite, but if a contender is willing to part with a legitimate asset for his shooting off the bench, then Mitch Kupchak would have to listen to any offer.

Scott finally inserted Jordan Clarkson into the starting lineup, signaling a move toward tanking. If that is the Lakers’ new focus, it would be wise to flip any and all players into future assets (picks, younger talent with upside, etc.) to expedite the rebuilding process. “Tanking” as a term rubs fans the wrong way, but you know what’ll help? A great prospect to pair with Julius Randle and whatever free agent Kupchak is able to bring in.

Trading any or all of the aforementioned guys may make an already painful season border on cruel and unusual punishment, but given the direction the season is going, why not get everything they can out of such terrible basketball?

Anthony F. Irwin is an NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football contributor for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Send him an email at .

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