National Basketball Association

Lakers Trade Rumors: Should they try to get Nerlens Noel?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:57 p.m. ET

Fansided, Keith Rivas/FanSided via LA Sports Hub

In the latest Lakers trade rumors, trying to get their hands on Nerlens Noel might not be a bad idea.

Beating down the 76ers in Philadelphia to end their losing streak on Friday night might’ve done double damage. In the loss, center Nerles Noel didn’t like that he had limited playing time.

Citing that he deserves more than just eight minutes, Noel said that there’s no reason he should be playing so little.

Bleacher Report got more of an idea of what he made known.

Per B/R article:

“I think I’m too good to be playing eight minutes. That’s crazy. Need to figure this s–t out.”

While the Lakers may not be in a position to trade their young core, dealing Timofey Mozgov shouldn’t be ruled out. The former Cavalier has done decent in Los Angeles, but with the opportunity to go young, it’s hard to see the Lakers make him the priority.

In fact, trusting the youth movement has paid huge dividends already. Because of it, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and eventually Brandon Ingram are all getting better.

.@Trevor_Lane breaks down the end of the Lakers' losing streak and a potential trade target in the latest LN Podcasthttps://t.co/2oqxKCZcCn pic.twitter.com/QhFucvFclZ

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 17, 2016

Maybe it’s time for Noel to get a better shot?

The irony here is that “the process” is the problem and the solution. In Philadelphia, going three-deep at center in Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid was bound to end badly.

Embiid has done great in his true rookie season, while Okafor hasn’t done terrible either.

As for Noel, he’s been caught in the cross-fire.

When it comes to a trade package, the Lakers would probably need to have someone accompany Mozgov. Insert Luol Deng into the trade package — a veteran forward who could truly boost Philadelphia’s starting lineup — and you might have a deal.

Key word being might.

Jose Caulderon could be part of the conversation as well if things heat up, but for right now, it’s something to think about.