The Los Angeles Lakers are a "team to watch" with the February trade deadline around the corner, according to Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy. Possible players who the Lakers could look to shop reportedly include Ed Davis, Jeremy Lin and Jordan Hill.
Los Angeles is headed for the draft lottery, but that doesn't preclude general manager Mitch Kupchak from making a move this season if an opportune deal comes along. According to Kennedy, the Lakers are in good position to make a trade before the deadline.
Per Kennedy:
"I do think the Lakers are a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. It really makes sense for them to make some moves. Ed Davis and Jeremy Lin can become unrestricted free agents this summer, so they may look to trade them to get something in return rather than losing them for nothing. It may be hard for them to get significant assets back in return since those two can walk in the summer, but getting something back makes sense.
"Jordan Hill could also be on the move, as his trade value is at an all-time high since he's having a career-year. The Lakers have an incentive to trade away veterans too, as it would help them lose games and keep their top-five draft pick (even though they insist they aren't tanking).
"The Lakers are definitely a team to watch as Feb. 19 gets closer."
Expiring contracts can be enticing to teams. The 76ers, for example, still need to pick up salaries in order to reach the league minimum - picking up Lin's $14.8 million expiring contract would help Philadelphia get closer to the cap floor while maintaining their financial flexibility for the future.
