The Los Angeles Lakers are staring down the trade deadline with a clear priority: tighten up a defense that’s been anything but consistent. With the February 5 deadline looming, the front office is expected to be active-and one name that’s drawing serious attention is De’Andre Hunter.
Hunter, currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has found himself in the middle of trade chatter as teams look to shake up their rosters. The Lakers are reportedly keeping a close eye on him, and for good reason. The former No. 4 overall pick brings the kind of skill set that fits exactly what L.A. needs: a true three-and-D wing who can hold his own on the perimeter and knock down shots when it counts.
According to reports, the Cavaliers have been in talks with multiple teams about Hunter, and the Brooklyn Nets have surfaced as a potential third-party facilitator to help make the money work. There’s growing belief that Hunter could be moved before the deadline hits.
Now, let’s talk about the fit. Hunter’s numbers this season-13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 42.2% shooting-don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the whole story.
He’s dealt with injuries in the past, and this season’s dip in production may have as much to do with the uncertainty around his contract situation as anything else. Still, when healthy and locked in, Hunter has flashed the ability to be a high-level wing defender who can shoot over most matchups.
That’s a rare combination, and it’s exactly what the Lakers are missing.
Right now, L.A. is rotating through options like Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt at the forward spots, but neither has consistently provided the kind of two-way impact that Hunter could bring. Head coach JJ Redick has voiced his frustration with the team’s defensive lapses, and it’s not hard to see why. The Lakers have struggled to string together stops, particularly against teams that can space the floor and attack mismatches.
That’s where someone like Hunter could be a game-changer. He’s long, athletic, and capable of switching across multiple positions-traits that would immediately upgrade L.A.'s perimeter defense. And while he’s not a volume scorer, his ability to hit open shots and move without the ball would complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis well, especially in late-game situations where spacing becomes critical.
With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, the margin for error is slim. If the Lakers want to make a serious push, they’ll need to shore up their defense-and that likely means making a move. De’Andre Hunter isn’t a blockbuster name, but he’s the kind of player who can quietly transform a team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
Don’t be surprised if Rob Pelinka and the front office make a strong play here. The Lakers know what they need, and Hunter checks a lot of boxes.