Lakers Trade Rumors: Lakers targeting Trevor Ariza for a second time

What's the rumor?

The Los Angeles Lakers have recently dropped outside of the Western Conference playoff places due to the absence of LeBron James. Due to this, the team looks certain to make a number of acquisitions before the trade deadline, and The Athletic is reporting that one of the Lakers targets is Trevor Ariza, who the team missed out on back in late 2018:

A team source said the Lakers will pursue any three-point shooter on an expiring deal, a group expected to include former Laker Wayne Ellington, Orlando's Terrence Ross, Memphis' Garrett Temple and Trevor Ariza, who many believe could be on the move again before the deadline if Washington continues to falter in the East.

In case you didn't know...

Trevor Ariza is considered one of the best two-way players in the NBA, and the veteran played a pivotal run in the Houston Rockets run to the Western Conference Finals last season. Ariza left Houston for the Phoenix Suns last summer, although the 33-year-old was made available for trade in December after failing to fit in with the young Suns team.

The Lakers were interested in acquiring Ariza. However, Magic Johnson refused to give up Josh Hart in exchange for Ariza. Due to this, Ariza eventually signed for the Washington Wizards and has been a regular starter ever since.

The heart of the matter

The Wizards are known to be looking to get rid of a number of their highest earners, and the team may be willing to accept less than what the Suns demanded from the Lakers in December. The Lakers are in obvious need of help, and Ariza could ultimately be a quick fix until the end of the season.

What's next?

The Lakers will be looking to end their three-game losing streak as they take on the struggling Phoenix Suns on Sunday.