Lakers Rumors: Trade Buzz Surrounding Montrezl Harrell, Andre Drummond and More

The Los Angeles Lakers have a championship-caliber roster but still may be forced to make moves at the trade deadline. Anthony Davis may be close to returning, but LeBron James recently suffered a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss significant time.

Los Angeles has now lost three in a row.

Point guard Dennis Schroder believes that a change in on-court strategy could help turn things around.

"I think how we played before with them two on the court, it's totally opposite now, I think," Schroder said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think we got to move the ball, we got to play with more pace. On the defensive end, we got to be more scrappy."

However, it could also make sense for Los Angeles to overhaul its roster to help cushion the blow of James' injury. At the very least, the Lakers likely consider making some moves ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Let's dive into some of the latest buzz.

If the Lakers do decide to shake up the roster a bit, center Montrezl Harrell could potentially be dealt to make room.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer recently mentioned the 27-year-old's availability when discussing the Charlotte Hornets' search for frontcourt depth.

"Charlotte has also called the Lakers about Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles' bruising center, sources said, and the reigning champions appear willing to entertain offers," Fischer wrote.

This doesn't suggest that Los Angeles is truly interested in moving Harrell, only that the team won't hang up on potential callers. Harrell was acquired this past offseason after being named 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year as a member of the cross-town Clippers. He is a valuable member of this squad.

However, if the Lakers do make a move ahead of or after the deadline, they'll have to make space on the roster. Including Harrell in a trade package could be a potential win-win in that scenario.

If the Lakers do make a move it might not occur until after the trade deadline. As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski recently noted, waiting for the buyout market could be more beneficial to Los Angeles.

"I think for them the buyout market after the trade deadline is where they could really impact, because then you’re adding players without having to lose anyone in a trade or have to trade out assets," Wojnarowski said on Get Up.

One potential buyout target for Los Angeles is Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond. The Cavaliers are looking to deal Drummond before the deadline but may struggle to find suitors. According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, many around the league expect him to land with Los Angeles if a buyout occurs:

"Contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have been bullish that Cleveland will fall short of finding a trade, leading to Drummond's agreeing to a buyout and becoming an unrestricted free agent just like Griffin before him. At this juncture, you'd be hard-pressed to find an executive who doesn't believe Drummond would join the Lakers in that scenario, as a starting role would likely be waiting for him."

If Los Angeles is indeed high on Drummond and truly believes that he will reach a buyout, then the Lakers may not be buyers over the next 48 hours.

While the Lakers may not heavily pursue trades ahead of the deadline, other teams will. However, they probably won't be looking at James' injury as an opening and going harder in the buyers market. According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, teams fully expect Los Angeles to be at full strength by the postseason.

"Sources across the league expressed skepticism that LeBron James' high ankle sprain would result in any increased urgency among contenders to add talent," Lowe wrote. "Rivals are operating under the assumption James will be 100 percent for the playoffs, and the Los Angeles Lakers as formidable as ever."

If a team doesn't already believe that it is a move or two away from competing with the Lakers, James' injury isn't likely to change its thinking. As long as Los Angeles gets into the postseason, it's going to be a problem.

Therein lies the real problem for the Lakers, though. If James and Davis both continue to be sidelined, missing the playoffs is a legitimate possibility. Los Angeles has already dropped to the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference and has just three fewer losses than the No. 8-seed Dallas Mavericks.

Whether it involves a trade or not, the Lakers must figure out a way to start winning without their superstars.