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Lakers rumors: Team could give up all veterans before deadline

By Keith Rivas

Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) guards Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Lakers 122-73. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) guards Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Lakers 122-73. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the latest Lakers rumors, we could see the veterans sent out of town.

If the Lakers rumors are true, that would mean Los Angeles is ready for the next step in the process. Trusting their young core completely was going to come in a matter of a time, but this still would be surprising.

D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram will have their responsibilities only intensified without veterans to give them some slack. Off nights are going to happen, that’s just part of the game, but Los Angeles needs their best efforts.

Should these rumors come true, that would mean the end of a tenure with the Lakers for players like Timofey Mozgov, Luol Deng, Nick Young, and others.

https://twitter.com/TheLakeShowLife/status/830247131608817664

Mozgov was recently benched in favor of Tarik Black, which doesn’t help his case. Deng hasn’t been that veteran that they wanted him to be, and Young would ironically be the hardest veteran to part with. Instead of more off-the-court drama, this year brought Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell close as a dynamic duo for the Lakers.

Unfortunately, his success could be what sends him out of town.

Other veterans that would be on the list include Marcelo Huertas and Jose Calderon. Getting rid of all veterans is a must for the team, eventually.

D’Angelo Russell is going to experience more and more freedom because of this. It could change the leadership part of his game dynamically and get the Lakers back to contender status.

With Magic Johnson being a heavy influence in these kinds of decisions, it’s not hard to rule anything out. He’s put his faith behind D’Angelo Russell, and it wouldn’t serve the team’s best interest to trade him now.

Next: Lakers Lose Interest In Jahlil Okafor

They still have time to decide, but what a development this would be.

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