The Los Angeles Lakers could turn into sellers in the final days heading into Thursday's NBA trade deadline as reports indicated that the team is willing to trade any player except superstar Kobe Bryant.
Chad Ford of ESPN reported that Lakers are practically shopping all players in their roster except Bryant in hopes of acquiring an impact player or a future first-round draft pick, preferably in the highly-anticipated 2014 NBA Draft.
"Several GMs tell Ford that the Lakers appear willing to discuss any player on their roster short of Kobe Bryant," Ford said via Hoops Rumors.
But among the available trade assets of the Lakers, veterans Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill are the only players who are expected to draw significant interest from several teams heading into the deadline.
According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, the Lakers had initial discussions with the Charlotte Bobcats about a potential trade for Pau Gasol. The Bobcats are willing to move Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions to match Gasol's $19-million salary this season.
Sources said that the Lakers are asking for young assets or draft picks, similar to what they demanded in previous trade talks involving the 33-year-old center.
The Bobcats are reportedly reluctant to give away picks in the deal without getting long-term commitment from Gasol, who will become a free agent this summer.
"While adding Gasol could give the Bobcats the short-term boost to make the playoffs, giving up a first-round pick would make Gasol more of a long-term investment. That's where the Bobcats would have pause," Bonnell noted.
No deal is imminent at this point, but the Bobcats will likely become more interested and more willing to give away a future first-rounder if the Lakers would send back a young, inexpensive asset in the deal.
Meanwhile, Hill could be on the move as well before the trade deadline as reports indicated that the Brooklyn Nets are making a strong push to acquire the 26-year-old power forward.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Nets are planning to offer their $5.25 million Disabled Player Exception in a trade for Hill.
Using the portion of their DPE in a trade for Hill will not prevent Brooklyn from incurring more luxury tax penalty this season, but the Nets are reportedly willing to spend in order to improve their title chances this season.
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