The vibes in Los Angeles are, to put it lightly, a mess. You’ve got Luka Doncic putting up 42-point masterclasses one night and the team getting run out of the building by the Sacramento Kings the next. It’s weird seeing Luka in a Lakers jersey, honestly. Even weirder is seeing the Lakers sit at 24-14, the 5th seed in the West, yet feeling like a team that’s one bad week away from a total meltdown.
JJ Redick isn't hiding it anymore. He’s out here telling reporters the Lakers "literally can't make a shot." He’s right. When you’re ranked 29th or 30th in opponent three-point percentage and your own bench is dead last in scoring, something has to give.
The nba news lakers trade cycle is officially in overdrive because February 5th is coming fast. Rob Pelinka is stuck between a rock and a very hard luxury tax apron. He’s got almost no assets left after the Luka blockbuster that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas last year. But standing pat isn't an option when LeBron James is still playing at this level and the defensive efficiency is a bottom-tier disaster.
The Robert Williams III Gamble
The newest name on the radar is a familiar one: Robert Williams III.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Portland Trail Blazers are finally ready to talk. The Lakers have been sniffing around "Time Lord" for years. Now that he’s on an expiring $13.3 million deal, he’s the definition of a "low-risk, high-reward" move.
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L.A. needs rim protection. Badly. Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber are doing what they can, but with Jaxson Hayes sidelined by a hamstring issue, the frontcourt is thinner than a Hollywood script. Williams is averaging 1.3 blocks in just 16 minutes off the bench this year. He doesn’t need the ball. That’s huge when you’re playing next to high-usage stars like Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves.
If his knees hold up? He’s a steal. If they don’t? He’s an expiring contract that falls off the books in July.
Hunting for "Bargain" Wings
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst are reporting that the Lakers are canvassing the league for "bargain deals." They aren't looking for superstars; they're looking for guys who can actually guard a basketball.
- Keon Ellis: The Sacramento Kings wing is the top target right now. He’s a career 41.5% shooter from deep and a defensive pest. The Lakers are reportedly trying to package Rui Hachimura or Dalton Knecht to make this happen.
- Jonathan Kuminga: This is the wildcard. Kuminga requested a trade from the Warriors recently after his minutes tanked. He’s only 23. He’s athletic. He’s exactly what Redick needs to fix the "lack of ball containment" he keeps complaining about.
- Herb Jones: Every Lakers fan wants him. The Pelicans, however, want two unprotected first-round picks. The Lakers have one. You do the math.
The Rich Paul Factor and the Austin Reaves Drama
Things got spicy this week. Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, went on a podcast and basically suggested the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr.
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Lakers' leadership was not happy.
Jovan Buha reported that "people have not been happy" with Paul’s comments. Reaves is the heart of this team, but Jackson Jr. would solve every defensive problem the Lakers have. It’s a pipe dream, but it shows the internal pressure Pelinka is under.
The reality is that Pelinka is trying to flip the 2032 first-round pick for multiple lesser picks, similar to what Phoenix did last year. He needs more "parts." If he can turn one pick into three, he can suddenly afford to move Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt for a legitimate 3-and-D wing like Andrew Wiggins or Dorian Finney-Smith.
Why Doing Nothing is Pelinka’s Biggest Risk
There’s a subplot here that’s kinda flying under the radar. The Lakers have new majority ownership. Mark Walter bought a stake at a $10 billion valuation. New owners don't usually like losing 13 out of 14 games by double digits.
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If Pelinka stands pat and the Lakers exit in the first round, his seat gets very hot.
Right now, the Lakers are $1.1 million below the first apron. They can't take on more money than they send out. That makes every trade a giant puzzle. They have to find a partner willing to take on Gabe Vincent’s $11.5 million or Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract just to bring in a rotation player.
Actionable Insights for the Deadline
If you're tracking the Lakers' next move, keep an eye on these specific triggers:
- The "Flip" Trade: Watch if Pelinka trades the 2032 pick to a team like OKC for multiple 2027 or 2028 picks. This is the "unlock" move.
- The $13M Slot: Robert Williams III or Nick Richards fit into the salary slots currently held by the Lakers' underperforming vets.
- Rui Hachimura's Minutes: If Rui starts seeing fewer minutes, it’s a sign he’s being showcased for a deal involving a wing defender like Keon Ellis.
The Lakers don't need another star. They need a "Time Lord" to protect the rim and a "pest" like Ellis to stop the bleeding on the perimeter. If they find those two pieces without giving up Reaves, they might actually have a shot in the West. If not, expect a lot more drinking on the sidelines from JJ Redick.