This Lakers-Pistons Trade Involving Derrick Rose Could Actually Work

The Feb.6 trade deadline is fast approaching and there hasn't been much buzz surfacing surrounding perennial title contenders making a blockbuster splash.

On Monday, it was reported that both the Lakers and 76ers were keeping tabs on Pistons star point guard Derrick Rose, who is averaging 18.3 points and 5.9 assists while shooting a career-best 50.1 percent from the floor.

That got us thinking. Who (or what) could Los Angeles offer in a potential return package for the former MVP?

Derrick Rose Contract

Rose signed a two-year contract worth $15 million with Detroit last offseason, and will carry a base salary of $7,317,073 over the next two seasons before he becomes a free agent at age 32.

Derrick Rose Trade Package

It's quite apparent that the Lakers won't even get the Pistons on the phone if they don't offer a young asset and, or a future pick in return. The question here is if GM Rob Pelinka is would be willing to offload Kyle Kuzma, a player that LA reportedly values long term despite his struggles this season.

Kuz has struggled to mesh with the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But, his involvement in any package would leave the Lakers with Avery Bradley, Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cook, and Rose at the PG position. Perhaps Pelinka could seduce the Pistons by coughing up one of those players and a draft pick. Detroit would likely want a first rounder for a player of Rose's caliber (the Lakers' 2021 first), and they'd have to match up the salaries as well.

Neither Bradley, Rondo, nor Cook have base salaries that exceed $3 million.

Rose has been tremendous thus far, but at age 31, he isn't THAT valuable. Therefore, Detroit, who should probably tear it down and embrace a rebuild, shouldn't be asking for a haul in return for the oft-injured playmaker.