NBA Rumors: 3 Players being linked with an exit from the Los Angeles Lakers

After a disappointing second-half to the 18/19 season, the Los Angeles Lakers missed out on the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. The addition of LeBron James was expected to put the team in a position to contend, however, the Lakers once again failed to live up to their lofty expectations.

Due to this, the Lakers are expected to be among the most active franchises during the upcoming offseason, and here are three players that are being linked with an exit.

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#3 Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball has been linked with the Chicago Bulls

Upon his arrival in Los Angeles two years ago, Magic Johnson heralded Lonzo Ball as the future of the franchise. The former UCLA man was expected to quickly transcend into one of the NBA's best point guards, however, injuries have affected his first two years in the league.

Still just 21, there is plenty of time for Ball to live up to his much-touted potential, although with an All-Star point guard likely to join this summer, Ball's future in Los Angeles looks bleak.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Lakers discussed a deal with the Bulls ahead of the trade deadline, and believes talks could be revisited this summer:

According to one NBA executive, the Bulls and Lakers had initial conversations about point guard Lonzo Ball shortly after Ball’s camp made it public that Chicago would be one of his desired destinations if the Lakers were to move him.

Could the No. 4 pick and a package with Dunn be enough to pry Ball loose? He’d be the perfect fit for what the Bulls are looking for, with an ability to push the ball and make plays, in addition to solid defense; he finished this season seventh among NBA point guards in defensive RPM.

With the man that bought Ball to Los Angeles (Magic Johnson) also leaving, it is becoming increasingly difficult to envision the young guard lining up in a Lakers jersey next year.

#2 Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma could be included in a deal to bring Davis to LA

Following an underwhelming second season, Kyle Kuzma's future in LA has been questioned. Kuzma impressed during his rookie season, although the 24-year-old struggled to make the same offensive impact alongside LeBron James. Regarding a trade, Bill Oram of The Athletic had this to say:

Kuzma and his people came away from their chat feeling reassured, a source close to the situation told The Athletic. Pelinka told the second-year forward that he was key to the Lakers’ future and that, unless it was a trade for one of the game’s three best players, he wasn’t trading him.

Oram's report states the Lakers' preference is to keep Kuzma, however, they are known to be pursuing Anthony Davis. Needless to say, Davis is one of the 'three best players' that the report alludes to, and if the Lakers complete a move for the All-Star this summer, Kuzma is sure to exit.

#1 LeBron James

LeBron James continues to be linked with an unlikely trade

Back in February, reports emerged that the Lakers were contemplating the unthinkable and considering trading LeBron James ahead of the trade deadline. Any trade for LeBron would instantly become the biggest in NBA history, so many brushed aside the trade talk as just a rumor.

However, when reacting to the news that talks between the Lakers and Tyronn Lue had broken down, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed that Jeanie Buss was being urged to trade her most prized asset:

You've got folks close to Jeanie Buss imploring her to trade LeBron James. He does not have a no-trade clause and now you haven't given him the coach that he wanted.

In his first season with the team, James failed to end the Lakers' playoff drought, although he still performed well, averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.