Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Marcus Morris is a trade target, update on Kyle Kuzma's future and more

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night to improve to 38-11 for the season, and Frank Vogel's team appears increasingly likely to finish the regular season at the top of the Western Conference standings.

However with the LA Clippers, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets also performing well, the Lakers will face intense competition in the playoffs - and the front office is believed to be active ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Major changes are unlikely, although it is believed that Rob Pelinka is looking to bring in at least one veteran that can help boost the Lakers' title chances. So ahead of the impending trade deadline, here we take a look at all the latest Los Angeles rumors you need to know.

#3 Lakers rivaling Clippers for Marcus Morris

Marcus Morris could exit the Knicks before tomorrow's trade deadline

The New York Knicks unexpectedly fired president of basketball operations Steve Mills on Tuesday, and Marcus Morris was subsequently made available for trade.

The veteran has enjoyed a resurgence since joining the Knicks on a one-year deal last summer and during an appearance on ESPN's The Jump, Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Lakers are competing with the Clippers to sign the former Boston star:

It's become increasingly likely that Marcus Morris will be elsewhere at the trade deadline. There's a significant marketplace for him. Both Clippers, Lakers are competing for him. Not just the opportunity (to) acquire him, but to keep him away from your rival.

So far this season, Morris has made 43 appearances for the Knicks, averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. The 30-year-old has also connected with a career-high 43.9% of his attempts from three-point range.

#2 Kyle Kuzma drawing interest from the Kings and Knicks

Kyle Kuzma continues to be linked with a trade away from the Lakers

Heading into the season, Kyle Kuzma had been tipped as the player to emerge as the Lakers' third star alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, the 24-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, averaging a career-low 25.0 minutes per contest.

Kuzma's future in Los Angeles has been the subject of intense rumors over the past week and Jason Anderson of Sacramento Bee is reporting that the Lakers have held trade discussions with the Sacramento Kings over a potential deal:

The Lakers and Kings previously discussed a deal involving Bogdanovic and Kyle Kuzma, but a league source told The Sacramento Bee the Kings were unlikely to make that trade.

Additionally, The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting that the Knicks have held exploratory conversations to sign the forward:

Knicks have had exploratory conversations on Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2020

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Kuzma has played 40 times this season, averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 33.7% from beyond the arc. With the Lakers interested in New York's Morris, it is possible that Kuzma could be included in a potential trade package.

#1 Darren Collison still interested in joining the Lakers

Darren Collison is eying a return to the NBA with either the Lakers or Clippers

With much of the NBA looking to make upgrades, there are no guarantees that the Lakers will be able to close out a deal ahead of tomorrow's trade deadline. Nevertheless, LA could still upgrade via the free-agent market, and Sean Deveney of Heavy.com is reporting that experienced guard Darren Collison remains keen on a move to either the Lakers or Clippers:

He has remained in NBA-ready game shape and would be able to return to the court quickly once he signs. Collison, a native of Southern California who went to UCLA, does not want to leave the area. He would prefer to sign with either the Lakers or the Clippers—and both teams need an added playmaker.

Collinson spent 10 seasons in the NBA before walking away last summer to focus on his faith. Collison featured 76 times during the 2018-19 season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and a career-high 6 assists in 28.2 minutes per contest.