The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, and if you're a fan, you know the vibe. It’s chaotic. It’s exhausting. Honestly, it’s mostly just Rob Pelinka on a thousand phone calls trying to turn a handful of second-rounders into a defensive savior. The lakers news rumors today are swirling faster than usual because the team is sitting at 24-14, which is decent, but the Western Conference is basically a meat grinder right now.
We’ve got the 41-year-old LeBron James still defying biology and Luka Dončić—yeah, the Lakers actually pulled that off last summer—leading the league in scoring. But the defense? It’s shaky.
Luka has been dealing with a left groin injury that he aggravated during Monday’s loss to the Kings. He played through it against Atlanta, but when your franchise cornerstone is "uncertain" during warmups, everyone in the front office starts sweating. With Austin Reaves already sidelined by a Grade 2 calf strain, the roster is looking thinner than a Hollywood script.
The 2032 pick strategy: Rob Pelinka’s "Suns" move
Here is the thing most people are missing. Everyone is talking about Jonathan Kuminga or Herb Jones. But the real lakers news rumors today involve a weirdly specific draft pick: the 2032 first-rounder.
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According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers are trying to pull a "Phoenix Suns." They want to shop that 2032 pick—which is their only real "outright" tradable first-round asset—and flip it for two or three lesser first-round picks.
Why? Because you can’t trade for a high-end wing like Trey Murphy III with just one pick and a prayer.
By turning one big asset into several smaller ones, Pelinka can theoretically package a couple of those new picks with Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) or Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million) to actually get a team to pick up the phone. It’s creative. It’s desperate. It’s very Lakers.
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Who is actually on the radar?
If you check the latest reports from The Athletic and ESPN, the wish list is clear: 3-and-D wings.
- Jonathan Kuminga: He formally requested a trade from the Warriors this Thursday. He’s 23, hyper-athletic, and hasn't touched the court in 13 games because he and Steve Kerr are essentially speaking different languages. The Lakers are "monitoring" him, but don't hold your breath. Kuminga wants to be a #1 option. On a team with Luka and LeBron? That’s not happening.
- Herb Jones & Trey Murphy III: These are the "home run" targets. New Orleans is historically tough to deal with, and Herb Jones is considered "too pricey" by most insiders right now.
- Keon Ellis: This is the name to watch if the Lakers go for a smaller, "marginal" upgrade. He’s a point-of-attack defender who could fill the void left by Reaves’ injury.
- Robert Williams III: BasketNews has linked "Time Lord" to the Lakers as a low-cost rim protector. He’s played 23 games this year for Portland, which is practically a miracle for him, but his injury history is a massive "if."
The Dalton Knecht situation
It’s getting awkward with Dalton Knecht. The 2024 first-round pick has basically fallen out of JJ Redick’s rotation. He’s shooting a dismal 31.1% from deep this season and spending more time with the South Bay Lakers in the G-League than with the big club.
Kevin Pelton of ESPN noted that any trade the Lakers make is "contingent" on another team still believing in Knecht’s potential. They tried to move him last year for Mark Williams, but the deal fell through because of a failed physical. Now? He’s the most likely "major" young asset to be shipped out.
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What happens next?
The Lakers face the Charlotte Hornets tonight at Crypto.com Arena. While that sounds like a "gimme" game, Charlotte is 14-26 and has nothing to lose.
Watch the bench. If guys like Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent see "DNP-CD" (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision), the trade winds are officially blowing.
If you're looking for the next move, keep an eye on the 2032 pick swap. If that trade happens first, it’s the signal that a much bigger deal for a wing is coming. The Lakers are 5th in the West, but they are one more Luka injury away from a tailspin. Expect Pelinka to be aggressive, even if the assets are meager.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the 2032 Pick: Check the wire for any "pick-for-picks" trades; this is the prerequisite for a major roster move.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Luka's groin and Reaves' calf are the barometers for how "desperate" the trade offer will become.
- Watch the G-League Assignments: If Dalton Knecht or Drew Timme are suddenly recalled or held out of South Bay games, a package deal is likely being finalized.