The Los Angeles Lakers are back in familiar territory as the trade deadline looms - working the phones, scanning the market, and trying to find the right piece to shore up a roster that’s still searching for balance. This time, the focus is on forward depth, particularly defensive-minded wings who can contribute right away. But while the need is clear, the path to filling it is anything but.
The Lakers have had their eyes on New Orleans' Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones - two young, versatile forwards who fit the bill perfectly. Both bring length, energy, and defensive toughness, and either would slot seamlessly into a Lakers rotation that’s lacked consistency on the wing.
But there’s a catch: the Pelicans aren’t budging. New Orleans has been reluctant to even entertain trade talks involving either player, and for good reason - Murphy and Jones are key pieces of their current core and future plans.
So, the Lakers are pivoting, and a new list of potential targets is starting to emerge. League sources have linked Los Angeles to just about every available defensive wing on the market, including Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga, the Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., and Chicago’s Isaac Okoro.
Kuminga is arguably the most intriguing name on that list. At just 21 years old, he’s flashed the kind of two-way upside that makes teams hesitant to move him unless the return is undeniable.
He’s athletic, switchable, and has shown real growth on the offensive end. But Golden State isn’t exactly eager to part ways with him unless they’re blown away by an offer - and so far, that hasn’t happened.
Okoro, meanwhile, has been a steady contributor in Chicago, averaging 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He’s not a star, but he defends hard, plays within his role, and brings a level of physicality that would benefit the Lakers’ second unit.
Derrick Jones Jr. has been productive in limited action, putting up 10.4 points per game and shooting 40% from deep across 17 appearances. The shooting is a welcome surprise - if it holds - but availability is now the issue.
Both Kuminga and Jones are currently sidelined with injuries, and that’s thrown a wrench into the Lakers’ plans. With the clock ticking toward the trade deadline, LA is once again in a tight spot - a team with clear needs, limited assets, and a shrinking pool of healthy, attainable targets.
And that’s where things get tricky. The Lakers don’t have a treasure chest of trade chips to throw around.
Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht haven’t generated much buzz around the league, and LA only has two first-round picks available to include in any deal. That puts pressure on the front office to thread the needle - make a move that helps now without compromising flexibility down the road.
It’s a familiar dance for the Lakers: trying to improve on the margins while preserving their long-term outlook. They’ve pulled it off before, but with the West as competitive as ever and LeBron James still playing at an elite level, the urgency to get it right is real. Whether they can find the right wing at the right price - and one who’s actually healthy - remains to be seen.