But, of course, the aspirations are always high for such a popular team. That’s why the Lakers have been subject of multiple trade scenarios that could improve their luck this campaign, the problem is they’re not in a good spot to get what they need in return.

However, the front office has started to address possible departures to free up space in their roster. Rajon Rondo was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers a few days ago, and according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Lakers will try to trade two more players.

NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers looking to trade two more players

“They’ve already offloaded a player in Rondo to create a roster spot and they’re looking to do more of that,” Windhorst said. “From teams that I’ve talked to, they are out there. With LeBron starting at center and eventually getting Anthony Davis back, they are looking to move DeAndre Jordan. Not necessarily for another player, but to move him so they can open up a roster spot.

“Kent Bazemore is another player that they’ve been willing to talk about. And I think again their goal is open up a roster spot. The Rondo move looks like it was gonna be designed for Stanley Johnson to fill. But they may look at the buyout market for another player or two. They’re trying to figure out how to do that.”

Rondo’s departure left opten aspot for Stanley Johnson, whose 10-day contract expired on Sunday but will likely sign another one soon. But when the health problems in their roster are solved, they’d hit the maximum limit of players. So, in order to free up space, the Lakers wouldtry to move on Jordan and Bazemore.

The 32-year-old now joins LeBron James ina roster full of experience that will chase the championship in the 2021/22 NBA season. Bazemore has even reportedly turned down more money from the Golden State Warriors in order to go after his first ring.

It seems like his desire to chase the ultimate glory is so big that he was able to get over his hard feelings towards the franchise for snubbing him in 2014 after just 23 games. That time, the Lakers intended to make room forCarmelo Anthony, whowill be his teammate in his second tenure at the Staples Center.

Kent Bazemore says that Lakers letting him leave in 2014 has only motivated him

No player on the planet would like to be overlooked. Any signal of disrespect always harms their pride and confidence, and it can take years for an athlete to forgive that kind of behavior.

Well, when the Lakers let Kent Bazemore leave to create cap space for pursuing Carmelo Anthony, it mustn’t have been nice for him, especially considering he had spent only part of the season in Los Angeles.

If not, he would have joined them again in 2016, but he wasn’t ready to forgive them for how he was treated two years back. Recently,Bazemore opened up on how that moment inspired him toprove his worth:

“That kind of lit a fire underneath me a little bit back in the day when I used to hold on to those kinds of things before I understood the business side of everything,” he said in his introduction press conference. “But I’m just very fortunate to have another opportunity to play in the best league of basketball and one of the greatest organizations in any sport. I played with Carmelo (Anthony) up in Portland.

“It’s just cool being in a locker room with a bunch of guys that I’ve been playing with for a while, playing against for a while. It’s my 10th season and I’m here to win and I think a lot of guys are. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how that all comes into fruition,” Bazemore added.

He hasleft behind all kinds of resentment to the Lakers for not extending him the qualifying offer in 2014 and is excited to begin the new season, where he will reunite with Melo, who Los Angeles failed to bring when they didn’t renewKent’s deal. At 32 years of age, this comes like a second chance for Bazemore and also for the Lakers.