NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Los Angeles Lakers Interested in NY Knicks’ Iman Shumpert, Tyson Chandler; Pau Gasol Could Be Dealt

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to improve their roster further now that Kobe Bryant is back and they are reportedly interested in trading for New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert and center Tyson Chandler.

ESPN reports that no deal is imminent in the next few days, but the Lakers have already contacted the Knicks about a possible deal for Iman Shumpert. Aside from the Lakers, the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors have also discussed a possible Shumpert trade with the Knicks.

The Lakers are looking for backcourt help due to the recent injuries sustained by their key players. Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar are still out indefinitely, while Steve Blake recently went down with an elbow injury that will likely put him on the sidelines for at least six weeks.

"With Steve Blake, who is expected to miss at least six weeks with an elbow injury, joining point guards Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar on the injured list, the Lakers could be interested in strengthening their backcourt," ESPN reported.

Without their three natural point guards, superstar shooting guard Bryant was forced to take the playmaker role in their 88-85 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday.

The 15-time All-Star, who played in his fourth game back from an Achilles tendon surgery, tallied 21 points and eight assists, but the Lakers still obviously need a lot of improvement on their depleted backcourt rotation.

Aside from Shumpert, the Lakers are also interested in acquiring defensive-minded center Tyson Chandler although they didn't inquire about him during their talk with the Knicks about Shumpert.

The Lakers are reportedly mulling a straight Chandler-for-Pau-Gasol trade, but the Knicks are not considering moving Chandler as of now.

However, the Knicks' stance could change if a team decides to take shooting guard JR Smith together with Chandler -- a move that would give the Knicks financial flexibility in the next few seasons.

However, the Lakers are reportedly not interested in acquiring Smith, who just signed a three-year deal worth $18 million during the offseason. Smith also struggled in their past few games, averaging just 3.7 points in their last three games and just 10.1 points for the entire season, which is way lower than his 18.1-point average last season.