The Los Angeles Lakers might be sitting at a respectable 19-9, but the cracks in their armor are becoming harder to ignore-especially on the defensive perimeter. Over their last nine games, they’ve dropped five, and the reason is becoming increasingly clear: they’re just not keeping up with opposing wings and guards. If this team wants to make a serious run at the title, they’ll need to shore up that side of the ball-and soon.
The front office knows it. That’s why the Lakers have been linked to several potential trade targets who could provide the kind of length, athleticism, and defensive versatility they’re sorely missing.
Names like Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III from New Orleans, Keon Ellis in Sacramento, and Derrick Jones Jr. across the hallway with the Clippers have all surfaced in recent trade chatter. But now, there’s another intriguing name to watch: De’Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to league insider Brett Siegel, Hunter’s name is starting to circulate as a potential trade piece. The 6-foot-7 forward, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a strong 221-pound frame, has recently been moved out of the starting lineup by Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. That shift, combined with his $23.3 million salary, could make him a prime candidate for a move-especially for a Cleveland team that’s navigating the second apron and looking to reset some of its financial commitments.
Should the Cavaliers decide to move Hunter, the Lakers are reportedly one of several teams monitoring the situation closely, alongside the Warriors, Heat, and Mavericks-all squads with a clear need for help on the wing.
Hunter’s appeal is easy to see. Drafted fourth overall in 2019, he entered the league with comparisons to OG Anunoby, and more recently, teammate Larry Nance Jr. likened his game to that of Kawhi Leonard after a standout preseason showing. While that’s lofty company, there’s no denying Hunter’s physical tools and two-way potential.
This season, he’s putting up 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.7 steals per game. His three-point shooting is down at 31.1%, but that number comes with context-he hit 40.5% from deep last season and 38.5% the year before. So there’s a track record of efficiency that suggests he could bounce back in the right system.
For the Lakers, the question becomes: is Hunter worth a future first-round pick? That’s likely what it would take to pry him from Cleveland, especially given his age (28) and contract. He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of complementary piece who could thrive next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis-someone who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, can guard multiple positions, and has shown flashes of being a reliable floor spacer.
Cleveland, for its part, hasn’t exactly met expectations this season. Picked by many to be a top contender in the East, the Cavs are currently 17-14 and sitting seventh in the conference standings. If they decide to shake things up, moving Hunter could be a way to regain roster flexibility and possibly recoup some assets.
Bottom line: the Lakers are in win-now mode, and their perimeter defense is a glaring weakness. De’Andre Hunter might not be a headline-grabber, but he checks a lot of the boxes this team needs filled. If the price is right, don’t be surprised if L.A. makes a move.