Lakers Eyeing 3-and-D Help as Trade Season Heats Up
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a strong start at 18-7, sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings. But if the goal is a deep playoff run-and let’s be honest, with LeBron James still in the fold, that’s always the goal-this roster might still need a little fine-tuning. The front office seems to know it too.
The buzz around the league is that the Lakers are actively exploring ways to bolster their perimeter defense and outside shooting-two areas that could make the difference between a solid playoff team and a true title contender. They’re reportedly looking to add young, athletic 3-and-D wings, the kind of players who can switch on defense, knock down open threes, and keep pace with the NBA’s faster, more dynamic offenses.
Among the names that have come up in trade chatter: New Orleans Pelicans wings Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III. Both players fit the Lakers’ mold-long, athletic, and capable of defending multiple positions while spacing the floor.
But there’s a catch. The Pelicans aren’t exactly eager to move either one, and it would likely take a significant offer to even get them to the table.
That’s where things get tricky for the Lakers. According to league insiders, New Orleans would demand a substantial return for someone like Jones, and right now, that asking price may be more than the Lakers are willing-or able-to pay. L.A. doesn’t have a treasure chest of draft picks or young blue-chip assets to throw around, especially if they’re trying to avoid mortgaging their future.
Still, the Lakers are expected to stay active in the 3-and-D market. One name mentioned as a possible target: Sacramento’s Keon Ellis.
He’s not a household name, and his minutes have dipped this season under Kings assistant-turned-interim head coach Doug Christie, but Ellis has shown flashes of being a capable defender with a developing outside shot. He’s young, affordable, and fits the Lakers’ current strategy of building around players in the same age range as Luka Dončić (26) and Austin Reaves (27).
That age-focused approach has been a theme for the Lakers since the offseason. Instead of chasing older veterans, they used their midlevel exception to sign Deandre Ayton (27) and Jake LaRavia (24), signaling a commitment to building a more sustainable core around their stars. It’s a clear shift from the past when the Lakers often leaned on experienced role players to complement LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Now, with December 15 marking the first day most offseason signees become eligible for trade, the market is officially open. Teams across the league are starting to get a clearer sense of who they are-and what they need. For the Lakers, the mission is clear: find the right mix of youth, defense, and shooting to elevate this team from good to great.
The pieces are mostly in place, but if the Lakers want to be playing in June, don’t be surprised if a few more moves are on the horizon.