Although the LA Lakers have a healthy Kobe Bryant back in the fold, the team's backcourt is depleted with injuries to point guards Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake which explains why the team is interested in trading for Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks.
According to ESPN.com, the Lakers recently called the Knicks to inquire about Shumpert, although no trade is imminent as of today. It is unlikely that the Lakers will make a deal as they are in the middle of a four-game road trip which ends in Memphis on Tuesday night.
"Shumpert is more of a shooting guard, but with Bryant taking on more of a playmaking role -- averaging a career-high 6.7 assists while attempting fewer than nine shots a game -- since returning from a torn Achilles tendon last Sunday, it's easy to see the two playing together," wrote Chris Broussard of ESPN.
It is public knowledge that the Knicks have put Shumpert in the trading block, with other teams expressing their interest such as the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors.
Broussard is also reporting that while the Lakers did not inquire about injured center Tyson Chandler when team officials made the call to the Knicks, some sources within the Knicks camp say that New York is also contemplating on proposing a Chandler for Pau Gasol deal.
While New York is not sold on moving Chandler, their defensive anchor, the club could agree to trade him if the deal involves shooting guard J.R. Smith, who has struggled through the season. Smith signed a three year, $18-million pact this summer but has become a major liability on both ends of the floor for the Knicks.
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