As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Los Angeles Lakers once again find themselves in the thick of the rumor mill. That’s nothing new-this is a franchise that’s always looking for ways to upgrade, whether it’s tweaking around the edges or swinging big. But this time around, with just hours left before the buzzer, the Lakers might be headed for a surprisingly quiet deadline.
They were in the mix for De’Andre Hunter before the Sacramento Kings swooped in and made the deal. The Lakers liked the fit, but the price tag-$25 million in future cap space-was too steep.
That’s not just a number; that’s the kind of flexibility that could be the difference between landing a major piece this summer or coming up empty. With LeBron James’ contract expiring at season’s end-along with deals for Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent-the Lakers are looking to open up serious room.
They’re not just thinking about this season; they’re eyeing a bigger prize down the line.
That prize? It could be one of several intriguing young players like Peyton Watson, Walker Kessler, Tari Eason, or Jalen Duren.
All four are restricted free agents, which means the Lakers could throw money at them in free agency-but their current teams would have the right to match. It’s a long shot, but the Lakers are clearly positioning themselves to be a player in that market.
In the meantime, they’re not completely sitting on their hands. The front office has been willing to part with draft picks in the hunt for a wing, and they’ve shown interest in New Orleans’ Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III.
Both are high-level defenders who can space the floor-exactly the kind of pieces that would fit alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. But the Pelicans aren’t in the business of giving away core contributors, and the Lakers’ current offer isn’t expected to move the needle.
There’s also Dalton Knecht, a young player the Lakers are reportedly open to including in trade talks. But there’s a sense around the league that Knecht alone won’t net them a significant return. Last season, they tried to move him for Mark Williams, but that deal fell apart over medical concerns.
One under-the-radar possibility? The Lakers could end up playing facilitator in a bigger deal involving a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
No, they’re not landing Giannis-but they could help another team clear cap space, and in doing so, pick up a useful piece or two for themselves. It’s not the splashiest move, but it’s the kind of smart, opportunistic play that could pay dividends.
So here we are, with the trade deadline just a day away. The Lakers are in the conversation, as always.
But unless something changes fast, this might be one of those years where the biggest move is the one they don’t make. And with an eye toward a potentially transformative summer, that might be exactly the plan.