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With the major, and most likely, trade for Lou Williams out of the way, it appears the Los Angeles Lakers may not be done dealing.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Lakers could look to move veterans Nick Young and Jose Calderon at the deadline, moves that are “far more likely” than the rumored move for Paul Georgethe rumored move for Paul George.
As for the possibility of more trades before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline, the Lakers are far more likely to move a veteran like Jose Calderon or Nick Young than any of their young core, according to league sources.
A trade for George, who is from nearby Palmdale, California, is considered unlikely at this point. The initial conversation between Johnson and Bird never got beyond pleasantries, according to league sources.
The first takeaway is one of surprise and possible excitement at the Lakers turning more old, veteran players into potential future assets. Young is likely to turn down his player option after having a career revival this season, including shooting a career-high 41.3 percent from three.
Calderon, meanwhile, is a guaranteed expiring deal and is an experience point guard who could provide valuable minutes as a backup guard to a playoff or contending team.
The other takeaway is obviously the team appears to be out on Paul George, whom was rumored for much of Wednesday as a player that the Lakers were after and a player whom was interested in the Lakers.
The major caveat in a George trade is that he will be a free agent in 2018, making a trade for him a gamble. He also would come at a very steep price and would likely require the Lakers to deal one of their major pieces of the young core in D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram.
Regardless, it doesn’t appear like the Lakers are done dealing, making for an intriguing finale for the trade deadline.
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