With the NBA trade deadline looming this Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a familiar crossroads: to deal or not to deal. They're not in a position where they have to make a move, but if the right opportunity presents itself-one that could elevate their postseason ceiling-they’d be wise to pounce.
One name that’s surfaced in recent discussions? Donte DiVincenzo.
According to reports, the Lakers have shown interest in the versatile swingman, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While talks haven’t advanced into anything serious just yet, the Lakers’ curiosity is notable.
Minnesota, for their part, reportedly wouldn’t consider moving DiVincenzo unless it helped facilitate a much bigger splash-namely, a trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s a high bar, and it suggests DiVincenzo isn’t being shopped casually.
Still, the Lakers’ interest makes sense. DiVincenzo is exactly the type of player who can slide into a rotation and make an impact without needing the ball in his hands. He’s a proven shooter, a high-IQ defender, and someone who’s thrived in pressure situations.
After solid early stints in Milwaukee and Sacramento, DiVincenzo took his game to another level under the bright lights of two of the league’s biggest stages-Golden State and New York. With the Warriors in 2022-23, he averaged 9.4 points per game while shooting 43.5% from the field and nearly 40% from deep. He played his role to perfection, spacing the floor and defending multiple positions.
But it was his follow-up campaign with the Knicks that really turned heads. DiVincenzo bumped his scoring up to 15.5 points per game, shooting 44.3% from the field and 40.1% from three. That kind of efficiency, combined with his defensive versatility and playoff experience, makes him a valuable asset-especially for a Lakers team still searching for the right mix around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
At 29, DiVincenzo is in his prime. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, but he’s capable of creating when called upon.
He’s a connector-someone who can keep the offense flowing, knock down open shots, and hold his own on the defensive end. For a Lakers squad that has struggled at times with consistency from the perimeter and perimeter defense, he checks a lot of boxes.
Now, whether this interest turns into anything more remains to be seen. The Lakers are no strangers to trade buzz this time of year, and they’ve been linked to several names as the deadline approaches. DiVincenzo might not be the blockbuster move fans dream about, but he’s the kind of under-the-radar acquisition that could pay big dividends in a playoff push.
If the Lakers want to make noise in the West, adding a player like DiVincenzo-someone who’s been battle-tested, who knows how to win, and who can contribute on both ends-could be a smart, strategic move. The clock’s ticking. Let’s see if they make it count.