The NBA trade deadline is basically a holiday in Los Angeles, but this year feels different. Kinda tense.
If you've been refreshing your feed for Lakers news rumors trades, you know the deal. The team is sitting at 24-14, which is decent, but 5th in a brutal Western Conference isn't exactly where Rob Pelinka wants to be. Especially not with the current roster construction. Honestly, the vibe around Crypto.com Arena is that the "wait and see" approach is officially dead.
The Lakers are hunting for two things: perimeter defense and a legitimate 3-and-D wing. It's the same story every year, but the names on the table right now—Jonathan Kuminga, Herb Jones, and Robert Williams III—actually make this interesting.
The Kuminga Problem and the Vanderbilt Package
Jonathan Kuminga requested a trade from the Warriors just the other morning. That sent the rumor mill into a full-blown meltdown. Kuminga is 23, athletic as hell, and precisely the kind of wing the Lakers lack. But here’s the reality check. Golden State wants expiring contracts and high-value assets.
The Lakers? They’re dangling a package of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent.
It’s a tough sell. Vanderbilt has been a defensive spark when he’s on the floor, but he hasn’t played in a month because JJ Redick can’t find a place for his 31.4% three-point shooting in a modern offense. Gabe Vincent has been even more of a ghost, averaging 5.4 points and looking nothing like the guy who helped Miami reach the Finals.
Vando and Vincent together make about $22 million in salary. To get a guy like Kuminga, who is on a two-year deal worth $46.8 million, the Lakers have to get creative. Insider Kevin O'Connor reported that Pelinka is trying to shop a 2032 first-round pick.
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Wait. 2032?
Yeah. They’re trying to flip that one "distant" pick into two or three "lesser" first-rounders, basically mimicking what the Suns did last year. It’s a gamble. They want more "parts" to throw into a deal for a wing like Herb Jones or Trey Murphy III.
Is the Anthony Davis Era in Dallas Affecting LA?
You can't talk about the Lakers without mentioning the ghost of the Luka Doncic trade. Last year’s blockbuster that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas and brought Luka to LA changed the franchise's DNA forever.
But look at Davis now. He’s currently sidelined in Dallas with a left finger sprain and won't be re-evaluated for six weeks. Some executives think he’s essentially untradeable right now because of that $275 million extension he wants.
Why does this matter for the Lakers? Because it validates the Luka move every single day.
Luka is the sun the Lakers orbit around now. He’s the reason the Lakers are 5th in the West despite having a defense ranked 23rd in the league. When you have a generational talent like Doncic, you don't "develop" talent; you buy win-now pieces. That’s why the Herb Jones rumors won't go away. Jones is arguably the best wing defender in the league. He’s on a five-year deal and makes about $14 million this season.
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New Orleans knows what they have, though. They want two unprotected firsts. The Lakers don't have that—unless they pull off that "pick-splitting" trade mentioned earlier.
The Rich Paul Factor and the Reaves Rumor
Things got weird this week. Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, went on a podcast and basically started playing GM. He suggested the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Wait, what?
Reaves is the heart of this team. Fans love him. He’s making $14 million and is expected to opt out this summer for a massive payday. Paul’s argument is that if you're building around Luka long-term, you need a defensive anchor like JJJ, not more backcourt depth.
It’s a "dispassionate" take, as Paul put it, but it’s caused a rift in the fanbase. Reaves’ scoring is down four points from last year, which makes some people think his peak has passed. But trading the "underdog" for a guy like JJJ or even Robert Williams III (who Portland is finally making available) is a massive cultural shift.
Robert Williams III is a name to watch. He’s a rim protector who doesn’t need the ball. With Jaxson Hayes out with a hamstring injury, the Lakers' frontcourt is paper-thin. Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber are doing the heavy lifting, but they need insurance.
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What’s Actually Going to Happen?
Don't expect a superstar. The Lakers are looking for "bargain deals," according to league sources.
Keon Ellis from the Kings is the "clean" target. He’s on an expiring $2.3 million deal, shoots 41.5% from deep for his career, and plays point-of-attack defense like a maniac. He’s the kind of guy who wins you a playoff series while the stars get the headlines.
The Lakers have until February 5th to decide if they’re going all-in on this season or if they’re going to let their expiring contracts fall off the books to chase a big fish in free agency.
Key Trade Deadline Dates to Watch
- January 15: Most players signed in the summer became trade-eligible.
- February 5: The official NBA Trade Deadline.
- March 1: The deadline for players to be waived to remain playoff-eligible for their next team.
Current Roster Health Status
- LeBron James: 41 years old and still playing without injury restrictions (averaging 22/6/7).
- Austin Reaves: Recently missed time, increasing the load on Luka.
- Jaxson Hayes: Sidelined with a hamstring issue.
- Jarred Vanderbilt: Healthy but out of the rotation.
The next few weeks will define the LeBron-Luka era. If the Lakers stand pat, they’re essentially saying this group is enough to win a ring. If they move Reaves or that 2032 pick, it’s a total "win-now" mandate.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans:
Keep a close eye on the "2032 pick for multiple picks" chatter. If that happens, it’s a signal that a much larger multi-player trade is imminent. Also, watch the minutes of Keon Ellis in Sacramento; if he suddenly gets a "DNP-CD," a deal might be closer than we think.