NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Offer Larry Nance, Jr Trade For Nikola Mirotic; D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson Support Move

Aug 19, 2016 11:28 PM EDT

The entry of former Golden State Warriors coach Luke Walton in the Los Angeles Lakers staff has been expected to pave the way for new strategies in the D'Angelo Russell squad. Without Kobe Bryant in the roster, the Jordan Clarkson team is anticipated to hail a new franchise leader who can be the next Black Mamba. However, it appears that Walton is unimpressed with his current lineup. Hence, a Nikola Mirotic trade is said to be targeted in an effort to bring in a superstar in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are looking into a budding superstar who can play behind the three alphas, namely, Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. While Nikola Mirotic had an impressive rookie season, his second year in the NBA proved to be less eventful. Moreover, his signing was under the judgment of Tom Thibodeau. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Chicago Bulls are looking to execute a Nikola Mirotic trade to bring in a star who can fit in better the Fred Hoiberg system.

The new Chicago Bulls system already proved to be ineffective with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah who both signed with the New York Knicks this NBA offseason. Another member of the core group also fled the Jimmy Butler squad as Pau Gasol just recently announced his move to the San Antonio Spurs. This leaves Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic as the main pieces in what was once one of the contender teams in the Eastern Conference - a position that almost had the Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

With these situations in mind, the rumor mill has not stopped churning out stories on a Nikola Mirotic trade to another basketball squad. Among the promising teams that reportedly expressed interest in the Chicago Bulls star are the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets. However, the Jimmy Butler squad seems to be most enticed by the purported offer of the Los Angeles Lakers that involved a Larry Nance, Jr. trade for Nikola Mirotic.

Will this NBA trade rumor come into fruition? Both stars are young and promising, but Chicago Bulls fans lean heavily on a Nikola Mirotic trade especially in light of the entry of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in the roster. Meanwhile, a Larry Nance, Jr. trade could give the Los Angeles Lakers more depth and experience on the floor courtesy of the Spanish star who is raking points in the Rio Olympics 2016 as of late.

At this point, no official confirmation or comment has been given out by any of the parties involved in the NBA trade rumor. While a Nikola Mirotic trade is said to be favored by Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo fans, the idea remains a speculation as of this writing. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to truly mull over the potential of a Larry Nance, Jr. trade and the returns they could reap if they do agree to one.