Top 3 players being currently linked with Los Angeles Lakers | NBA Trade Deadline 2020

Derrick Rose is among the names being linked with the Los Angeles Lakers
Derrick Rose is among the names being linked with the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2019-20 season among the favorites to advance from the Western Conference and Frank Vogel's team has been excellent through the first half of the season. The Lakers' record of 36-9 puts them top of the West standings, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis have quickly combined to establish the NBA's most dominant superstar pairing.

Meanwhile, Dwight Howard, Danny Green, JaVale McGee, and Avery Bradley have also made solid contributions, and the Lakers will be a force in the postseason. However, competition from the LA Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets remains fierce - and it has been widely reported that the Lakers will look to upgrade the roster ahead of the trade deadline. So, with incomings likely, here are the top three players currently being linked with a move to Los Angeles.


#1 Bogdan Bogdanovic - Sacramento Kings

Bogdan Bogdanovic has just six months remaining on his contract with the Kings
Bogdan Bogdanovic has just six months remaining on his contract with the Kings

The Sacramento Kings tied down a number of key players to contract extensions earlier this season, although Bogdan Bogdanovic has yet to agree to a new deal and is widely expected to enter restricted free agency this summer. Nevertheless, while the Kings are not actively looking to trade Bogdanovic, Sam Amick of The Athletic is reporting that the Lakers have made calls regarding the 27-year-old's availability:

The Kings have no interest in a deal centered on a Kuzma-for-Bogdanovic swap. That being said, it was revelatory that – per sources – the Lakers were the ones who came calling about Bogdanovic recently.

Bogdanovic was selected 27th overall back in the 2014 draft, although the Serbian spent a further three years in the EuroLeague before making his NBA debut in 2017. The shooting guard has been an excellent contributor from the Kings' bench this season, averaging 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per contest.

#2 Derrick Rose - Detroit Pistons

Derrick Rose has been Detroit's best performer during the first half of the season
Derrick Rose has been Detroit's best performer during the first half of the season

Back in 2017, Derrick Rose was on the verge of retiring following a disappointing spell with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Rose opted to remain in the league and managed to rebuild his career during a resurgent stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rose's form with the Timberwolves convinced the Pistons to award him a two-year, $15 million contract last summer, and the point guard has returned to All-Star contention following an excellent start to life in Detroit. However, with the Pistons unlikely to reach the playoffs, the team is believed to open to trading their best assets, and Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports believes the Lakers are among the teams interested in signing Rose:

The Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and multiple teams with championship aspirations have expressed interest in trading for Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Rose has managed to stay healthy for much of the season, missing just six of Detroit's opening 46 games. Despite playing a relatively low 26.3 minutes per game, Rose has managed 18.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game - while also shooting a career-high 49.7 percent from the field.

#3 Davis Bertans - Washington Wizards

Davis Bertsans has been excellent following his summer trade to the Washington Wizards
Davis Bertsans has been excellent following his summer trade to the Washington Wizards

Following his summer trade from the San Antonio Spurs, Bertans has been excellent for the Washington Wizards. The 27-year-old has made a huge impression on the offensive end and is statistically among the best three-point shooters in the NBA. While the Wizards are believed to be eager to sign the forward to a new long-term deal next summer, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington is reporting that the Lakers are among a number of teams interested in acquiring the Latvian:

In addition to the Sixers, Hawks and Lakers, the Celtics and Nuggets have emerged as suitors for Bertans’ services, NBC Sports Washington has learned.

Over 35 appearances for the Wizards, Bertans has averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 29.2 minutes per contest. He is also shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc. However, Bertans is making $7 million this season, so a trade could prove to be difficult for the Lakers due to their current lack of cap-space.

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