Lakers Rumors: NBA Insider Thinks LA Should 'Do Whatever it Takes' to Get This Veteran Scorer

He would add a ton of scoring to the squad.

The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing to look for upgrades ahead of the NBA's trade deadline. They already brought back D'Angelo Russell, and added Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the process. However, that doesn't mean they have to be done there.

They still could add some scoring and spacing to the lineup, and have a few avenues they could pursue. They still have that 2029-first round pick.

The Lakers only traded one first-round pick. They upgraded their shooting, for a better fit at PG and finally got rid of Russell Westbrook.

This is a win and it shouldn’t be their last move.

They still have another first-round pick to turn this team into a true contender.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) February 9, 2023

They've been heavily linked to players like Bojan Bogdanovic and Fred VanVleet, who would both be good fits but would cost a pretty hefty return. If the Lakers wanted to go with a potentially cheaper option, ESPN's Tim Legler thinks they should target Houston Rockets guard/forward Eric Gordon.

“They have to add shooting," Legler said. "You’ve heard Eric Gordon’s name a lot. I think they have to do whatever it takes to get him."

Saying they have to do "whatever it takes" to get Gordon is definitely a strong take, However, he made it pretty clear why he thinks the 15-year vet is the perfect fit.

"They need shooting more than anything else," Legler said. "They need a reliable guy that’s got playoff experience. That’s why I think Eric Gordon should be at the top of the list."

Gordon is a career 16.2 points per game scorer on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 36.9 percent from deep. And he has tons of playoff experience, averaging 16 points per game in the 10 playoff series he's appeared in.

Gordon is having a bit of a down year, and Legler acknowledged that. This year, he's averaging a career-low 13.2 points per game. However, Legler thinks a big part of the down year is that he's playing for a losing team in Houston, and his success would very quickly change on a contender. 

"If you put Eric Gordon in a Lakers uniform, I think you’re gonna see a resurgence," Legler said. "And most importantly, give them exactly what they need — a big-time floor-spacer who could also get his own shot if LeBron or AD on the bench, you can run your offense through him, as well."

The Lakers have less than 24 hours to consummate a deal for Gordon. If they don't have to give up a first-round pick in the trade, I could see them jumping at the idea of adding him for a potential playoff push. A salary filler with one or two second-round picks would be a win for the Lakers, and would give the Rockets some additional draft assets to assist the rebuild.