NBA Trade Rumors: Could Terry Rozier emerge as a realistic trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Through the first week of the season, things have not gone great for the Los Angeles Lakers. And that’s putting it nicely. The Lakers are currently 0-3 and the “give it another try with this trio” is beginning to blow up in their faces.
That’s not exactly all that surprising but the urgency is only going to grow with every loss for the Lakers to make a move. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have all flashed their MVP forms and you’d have to wonder what they could look like with a better fit next to them. Quite frankly, Russell Westbrook has been quite a mess through the first week of the season.
Through three games, Westbrook is averaging 10 points per game on 29 percent shooting from the field and eight percent shooting from 3-point range.
According to a recent report, the Lakers are going to be patient with a potential move. Though, they’ve continuously been linked to a few names. One of which is Terry Rozier, who could be an interesting addition next to LeBron and AD.
What would have to happen before a Terry Rozier could come to fruition?
In two games played this season, Rozier is averaging 24 points and nine assists on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. Though, he’s currently sidelined with an injury. Still, the Charlotte Hornets have gotten off to a 2-1 start to the season.
And that could be the biggest barrier to a potential deal between the Lakers and Hornets.
I have a hard time believing that the Hornets are going to trade Rozier without getting to see what this team looks like when LaMelo Ball returns. And if the Hornets are going to trade Rozier, this is the type of deal that will likely cost the Lakers two first-round picks.
If Charlotte is going to trade Rozier, that means another rebuild is on the horizon. They’re not going to settle for simple cap relief. Charlotte is going to ask for some tangible assets. Two first-round picks is likely the price here.
Rozier would be a great addition to the Lakers. He’d fit a need and could potentially reignite this team’s fire heading into the thick of the season. But there are many things that would have to fall in line before this becomes a realistic possibility.