However, Frank Vogel’s team has made a 24-7 start to the season, and the Lakers are currently 2.5 games clear of the Denver Nuggets at the top of the Western Conference standings. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have struck up an excellent partnership, while the likes of Danny Green and Dwight Howard are also making important contributions.
Nevertheless, the Lakers have lost four successive games and the front office has been backed to make a move ahead of the trade deadline. As we approach 2020, we take a look at the latest Laker rumors you need to know.
#3 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is unlikely to leave
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed a new deal with the Lakers during the offseason, though the 26-year-old has been linked with a trade away since making a poor start to the season. Nevertheless, Joe Vardon of The Athletic is reporting that Caldwell-Pope is unlikely to leave the Lakers this season due to the fact that he would have to approve a trade:
Despite making a historically slow start to the season, Caldwell-Pope has improved over the past month and is now averaging 9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.2 minutes per contest.
#2 A Kyle Kuzma trade is complicated by his salary
Kyle Kuzma dropped 25 points against the LA Clippers on Christmas Day, although the 24-year-old has largely struggled for game-time and form since Anthony Davis’ summer arrival.
The Flint native has been frequently backed as the most likely Laker to leave ahead of the traded deadline, although Rob Mahoney of The Ringer says that any potential trade is complicated by the fact that Kuzma is owed just $2 million for the current season:
Kuzma has started just once this season, and the forward is averaging career lows in minutes (23.2), points (11.9) and rebounds (3.5).
#1 Lakers have no chance of signing Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala has not played since being traded to Memphis during the offseason as the Grizzlies’ attempt to trade the veteran star.
With a trade proving difficult, some experts have suggested that Iguodala and Memphis could eventually agree to a buyout - paving the way for the former Golden State man to move to the Lakers. However, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer says that the Grizzlies are insistent that Iguodala won’t be moving to the Lakers this season:
Iguodala has struggled with injuries over the past 18 months but was resurgent during the 2019 playoffs. Over 21 appearances, Iguodala averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes per game.
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