If you’ve been following the Los Angeles Lakers this season, you know the conversation around upgrades has mostly centered on defense-and for good reason. But there’s another name floating out there that should have Rob Pelinka’s full attention: Donte DiVincenzo.
No, the Lakers haven’t been directly linked to the Knicks guard in recent rumors. But that’s not the point.
The real headline is this-DiVincenzo might be available. And if that’s true, the Lakers need to be in the mix.
Why DiVincenzo Makes Sense for L.A.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Lakers already boast a top-seven offense, powered by the dynamic backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. So why chase another offensive piece? Because DiVincenzo doesn’t just bring more of the same-he brings something the Lakers sorely lack: high-volume three-point shooting paired with elite off-ball movement.
This isn’t just about adding another shooter. It’s about adding a player who changes the geometry of the floor.
Despite the gravity Doncic and Reaves create, the Lakers are still in the bottom third of the league in both three-point frequency and efficiency. That’s not ideal for a team with championship aspirations.
And it’s not just about the numbers-it’s about how those shots come. The Lakers don’t have a perimeter player who consistently moves without the ball and bends defenses in the process.
Jake LaRavia flashes some of that, but he’s not a consistent threat from deep.
DiVincenzo? He checks every box.
He’s launching 9.2 threes per 36 minutes-second-most among Lakers rotation players if he were on the roster-and he’s connecting on over 37% of them. That’s elite volume and efficiency, a rare combination. Only eight other players in the league are hitting that mark.
And he’s not just spotting up in the corner waiting for a kick-out. DiVincenzo is one of the league’s most active movers, ranking in the 75th percentile in movement points per 75 possessions, per BBall Index. That means he’s constantly in motion, forcing defenders to chase, which creates space for everyone else.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: he’s doing all this with tough looks. DiVincenzo ranks in the 99th percentile in deep three-point efficiency, despite being in the 23rd percentile in shot quality.
Translation: he’s draining shots most players wouldn’t even attempt. The only other guys matching that level of difficulty and success in similar minutes?
Jaylen Brown, Nikola Jokic, and James Harden.
That’s not just good company-that’s elite company.
The Fit, the Flexibility, and the Path Forward
Now, let’s be clear: DiVincenzo isn’t a defensive upgrade. He’s not going to lock down opposing wings or anchor a second unit.
But that’s a separate conversation. The Lakers can make another move to shore up the defense if they need to.
What DiVincenzo does offer is the chance to push this offense into rarefied air. Right now, the Lakers are hovering around the top five to seven in offensive efficiency.
Add DiVincenzo’s shooting and movement, and you’re looking at a group that could realistically challenge for a top-three spot. And in today’s NBA, a top-three offense can carry you deep into the postseason-even if your defense is slightly below average.
There’s also the contract angle. DiVincenzo is making $12 million this season and just $12.5 million next year.
That’s the kind of manageable deal that keeps the Lakers flexible for future moves. It’s not a long-term cap anchor, and it doesn’t require gutting the roster to make it work.
So what’s the holdup?
Navigating the Trade Market
The challenge isn’t DiVincenzo’s fit-it’s the market. Specifically, what it would take to pry him from Minnesota, assuming the Timberwolves are indeed exploring deals.
They’ve reportedly had discussions with the Knicks, a team that’s light on trade assets. That’s important, because it suggests the asking price might not be sky-high.
The Lakers, for their part, can offer one first-round pick (2031), which is one more than New York can put on the table. If L.A. is serious about making this kind of move, that pick might be enough to get it done.
If not, there’s always the three-team route. Minnesota could use another ball-handler, and the Lakers might be able to loop in a team like the Bulls to send someone like Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu to the Wolves. That way, L.A. gets DiVincenzo, Minnesota gets help in the backcourt, and the Bulls get assets or contracts that make sense for their direction.
Bottom line: there’s a path to making this work. And the upside is too good to ignore.
Final Word
The Lakers are already good. But DiVincenzo makes them better-significantly better-on the end of the floor that wins playoff series.
He’s not just a shooter. He’s a movement weapon, a floor-spacer, and a shot-maker who can thrive in the margins of a star-driven offense.
If the opportunity is there, the Lakers need to act. Because in a crowded Western Conference, every edge matters-and Donte DiVincenzo might just be the edge that pushes them over the top.