Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: 3 players the Lakers need to keep ahead of the NBA trade deadline

#1 Lance Stephenson

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers

Lance Stephenson is only playing 15.8 minutes per game for the Lakers this season, however, the former Pacers man is quietly enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. Despite his limited minutes, Stephenson is still averaging 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, and the 28-year-old is also shooting an impressive 40% from beyond the arc.

This makes Stephenson one of the few players on the Lakers roster who is a threat from deep, and the 28-year-old also injects enthusiasm and hustle from the bench. It is also worth noting that Stephenson has historically played his basketball during the postseason, and the shooting guard's impact from the bench could help tilt a tight series in favor of the Lakers. Ultimately, Stephenson is only signed until the end of the season, and the Lakers should keep him around if they still believe they can make the playoffs.