The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a 3-and-D wing, and with the Feb. 5 trade deadline creeping closer, the front office is exploring creative ways to make it happen. The challenge? Their trade cupboard isn’t exactly overflowing.
Right now, the Lakers are limited in both players and picks. They’ve only got one future first-round pick available to trade-either their 2031 or 2032 selection-due to the NBA’s Stepien Rule, which prevents teams from trading away first-round picks in back-to-back years. That puts a cap on their flexibility, but it hasn’t stopped them from getting resourceful.
According to recent reports, the Lakers are shopping around a package that includes Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, aiming to land a wing who can defend and shoot-exactly the kind of player who could elevate this roster. But here’s where it gets interesting: L.A. is also looking to flip that lone future first-rounder into multiple lesser firsts, a move that would give them more assets to work with in trade talks.
Think of it like this: instead of holding one premium chip, they’re trying to break it into several smaller ones-still valuable, but more versatile when it comes to building trade packages. It’s a strategy we saw the Suns use last year when they traded their 2031 first-rounder to Utah for a trio of picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029. The Lakers are aiming for a similar return, which could help them piece together deals involving players like Vincent, Vanderbilt, or even Maxi Kleber.
And they’re not just window shopping. Names like Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, and Jonathan Kuminga have been floated as potential targets.
Jones might be a bit too pricey, but there’s real interest there. Kuminga, in particular, is intriguing.
There’s a scenario being discussed where Golden State acts as a third team in a multi-team deal-Kuminga heads to L.A., the Warriors get a pick and other assets, and a player like PJ Washington or Trey Murphy ends up elsewhere. It’s a complex puzzle, but one that could come together if the right pieces fall into place.
Why the urgency? The Lakers are 24-14, sitting fifth in the Western Conference, but the recent slide-losing 10 of their last 19-has exposed some roster gaps.
They’ve got the star power with LeBron and AD, but the supporting cast needs a boost, especially on the wing. Adding a true two-way player could be the difference between a deep playoff run and another early exit.
The front office knows the window is still open, but it won’t stay that way forever. That’s why they’re working the phones, trying to turn one valuable asset into several, and ultimately into the kind of player who can help them compete with the West’s elite. The Lakers don’t have a ton to offer-but if they can pull off this pick-splitting maneuver, they might just get what they need.