The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Los Angeles Lakers are officially on the clock. With De’Andre Hunter and Keon Ellis now off the board following a three-team deal, the Lakers’ list of potential trade targets is starting to thin out. But just when it seemed like their options were narrowing, a new name has entered the conversation: Saddiq Bey.
According to league sources, the Lakers are among a handful of teams showing interest in the New Orleans Pelicans forward. Bey, who missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL, has made a strong return to the court this year. He’s putting up 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game - solid production for a player still working his way back to full form.
At 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, Bey brings size and versatility to the forward spots. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but what he lacks in flash, he makes up for with grit.
Bey has long been known for his toughness on the defensive end - capable of guarding multiple positions - and his ability to stretch the floor. That floor-spacing is key for a Lakers team that’s been searching for consistent outside shooting to open things up for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
While he’s not a sharpshooter by trade, Bey has a respectable career three-point percentage of 35.2%. That kind of shooting, paired with his defensive versatility, makes him an intriguing fit for a Lakers roster that could use a two-way wing with size.
Financially, Bey is also a manageable piece. He’s on the books for $6.1 million this season and $6.44 million next season, with his contract set to expire in 2027. That’s a team-friendly deal for a player in his prime, and it gives the Lakers some flexibility as they navigate the trade market and look ahead to next summer.
The Lakers have been linked to a variety of wings and forwards in recent weeks, but with the deadline just days away, time is running out to make a move. Bey may not be the blockbuster name fans were dreaming of, but he checks several important boxes: size, toughness, shooting, and cost control.
If the Lakers are serious about shoring up their rotation for a playoff push, Saddiq Bey could be exactly the kind of under-the-radar addition that pays off in April and May.