Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Hill And Jeremy Lin Tradable?
By Chris Walton
The Los Angeles Lakers may have one thing to look forward to this season, and that is the NBA trade deadline that approaches in February. The team has a chance to move around some their workable contracts and acquire assets ranging from rotation prospects to potential draft picks. With a chance at both, some of the foundation can start to be constructed before the road to 2015 free agency.
Teams are entering the time of year where roles are being settled, but can easily be rattled by injury. These woes can draw eyes to the Lakers, as they have a few players that they can offer.
Last week included the team looking to make a move for Rajon Rondo, where Steve Nash was the piece centered in the deal. Despite Nash being the first name in trades, the two biggest trade chips in the Lakers’ corner are Jordan Hill and Jeremy Lin. Not only are both players on a one-year expiring deals, but they each offer unique skillsets at point guard and center. Both positions are vital spots on both ends of the court, and they come at a premium.
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Jordan Hill is certainly proving that he can produce when given the minutes. He is up to a career-high of 29.5 minutes per game, posting averages of 12.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. The numbers are relatively modest, but the added bonus of Hill’s hustle and presence can be extremely useful. A team like the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just lost Anderson Varajeo to a torn Achilles, could potentially inquire about Hill’s availability.
This could mean great news for the Lakers, as they can move his $18 million, which has a $9 million team option for next year. As stated earlier, Hill could come up the books next year whether he remains a Laker, or is traded.
Despite being replaced in the starting lineup, Jeremy Lin still has churned out a solid season (10.5 points and 4.9 assists per game). Lin can be inconsistent at times, but much of this can be attributed in not being able to play to his strength. Kobe Bryant does dominate the ball for the Lakers, and Lin is most effective being the primary ball-handler in pick and rolls.
Perhaps he can find a team where he can settle on the second rotation with the ball for most plays. Teams in the playoff hunt like the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder could use Lin. Even better is his $8.3 million deal that will be greatly reduced in its expiration next season.
The Lakers have done a great job setting up and taking in cap-friendly contracts. Despite the moves being unclear and the losses steadily piling up, the team could be preparing to get worse by moving rotation players. Hill and Lin definitely fit the bill as two of the Lakers primary players right now, but it’s clear that the Lakers aren’t taking them into their future.
Los Angeles would be wise not to commit any big money to each guy next year, unless they can acquire some big names. Role players like Hill and Lin don’t grow on trees, but looking at how each player came to L.A. via trade, nothing’s impossible. Ironically, both guys could leave the team in similar fashion.