NBA offseason is very much on with the trade market already moving, the draft's opening round tipping off Wednesday night and free agency sitting just around the corner.

“It’s also possible these kinds of rumors are being floated so that those teams the Lakers have been holding trade talks with for a starting center might believe they’re serious about using their trade assets on something else if prices for centers don’t drop,” Irwin adds. “This is smokescreen season, after all.”

Also, the Heat and Bulls appear interested in Jonathan Kuminga, and the 76ers would still love to trade the No. 3 pick.