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The LA Lakers have been named as potential suitors for Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors and Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets. The Lakers are expected to monitor the trade market and make another trade.
Meanwhile, the latest rumors suggest that the Lakers ownership and front office are not worried about their lack of flexibility in free agency. If they decide to sign Rui Hachimura to a new contract, it could trim their budget this summer.
Here is the latest LA Lakers rumors roundup for Jan. 28 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
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LA Lakers named suitors for Fred VanVleet and Eric Gordon
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the LA Lakers are one of eight teams interested in Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors. VanVleet is a former All-Star who could opt out of his contract at the end of the season to become a free agent.
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Pincus also reported that the Lakers are monitoring Eric Gordon's situation with the Houston Rockets. Gordon has a partially-guaranteed contract for next season, which could prove useful for Houston.
VanVleet and Gordon are undersized guards who can score, shoot and pass. The former will likely cost more, while Gordon might be cheaper in the summer.
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LA Lakers not concerned about lack of flexibility in free agency
The LA Lakers are reportedly interested in signing Rui Hachimura to an extension this summer. If Hachimura signs a new contract, it could affect the Lakers' cap space in the offseason.
However, Yahoo! Sports' Jake Fischer revealed on the latest episode of the Please Don't Aggregate This podcast that the Lakers are not worried about the lack of flexibility.
"To me, it’s super interesting that we heard all these lofty ideas of Kyrie in free agency or once we get to the offseason, then the Lakers suddenly have three first round picks to trade," Fischer said. "Could they turn around and use that for a Bradley Beal or Zach LaVine or whatever? All those routes are a little more difficult now, a lot more difficult now.
"Is Hachimura worth that type of limited flexibility moving forward? Although there are other avenues with sign-and-trades and whatnot. And Lakers people I talked to aren't really concerned about lack of flexibility."
Also Read: Proposed trade has defending champs flipping Draymond Green for Pascal Siakam
Detroit Pistons want 1st-round pick for Bojan Bogdanovic
Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons is one of the players the LA Lakers are monitoring in the trade market. Bogdanovic is having the best season of his career, but the Pistons are not interested in trading him cheaply.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic revealed that Bogdanovic is worth at least an unprotected first-round pick. He is averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season.
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