The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the major players on the trading front in the coming weeks, and a number of sources indicated point guard Steve Nash and Jordan Hill could likely be shipped out of Hollywood before February trade deadline.
In his latest article on Basketball Insiders, NBA analyst Jabari Davis thinks the Lakers will make their moves after the New Year, especially if their playoff chances are already diminishing.
Hill, who signed a two-year, $18 million deal last summer, is the most enticing trade asset the Lakers possess aside from its superstar Kobe Bryant. The 27-year old big man is currently the Lakers' second-leading scorer at 14.8 points per game, and arguably the team's best frontcourt player in the wake of Julius Randle's season-ending injury.
According to Davis, Hill's contract pegged at $9M per year with a team-option in the second year is perfect trade bait for the Lakers. The analyst think teams with championship aspirations are going to be interested in acquiring a productive big man like Hill.
"At $9 million per season with a team option for the second year, Hill's contract is both team-friendly and sizeable enough to be in play by the time February's NBA trade deadline has arrived," Davis said in his article.
"The Lakers may not be as eager to move a frontcourt piece now that Julius Randle is lost for the season, but check back with this team after the New Year and see where things stand at this point."
Another possible move for Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is to trade Steve Nash and his sizable $9 million expiring contract. Although Nash is already out of the season with a back injury, teams looking to unload burdensome contracts and stay under the salary cap next summer could be candidates to trade for the veteran point guard.
The Phoenix Suns, the team that Nash played with for majority of his surefire Hall of Fame career, are considered as a potential suitor before the trade deadline. Davis believed dealing Nash to the Suns is a fitting end to the career of one of the finest playmaker the game has ever seen.
"While there are no reports of any such negotiations currently, it wouldn't surprise us to hear about the Lakers and Suns at least discussing the chances of a Nash return to the Valley of the Sun so that he can retire with the organization he played the bulk of his Hall of Fame career with," Davis stated.
