Latest Lakers Rumors on NBA Trade Deadline Plans, Draft Picks Being Shopped
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been searching for ways to improve their trade assets in an effort to make a splash ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have "canvassed" teams over the past month in order to see if they can make a trade for multiple first-round picks in exchange for their 2031 or 2032 first-rounder.
The Lakers' motivation behind that type of deal is reportedly a desire to get more tradable assets that they can pair with the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber in a potential bigger trade.
At 28-17, the Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference, but they are in a somewhat precarious position nonetheless.
L.A. is just 1.5 games up on the seventh-place Phoenix Suns, and falling outside the top six would mean having to traverse the postseason play-in tournament in order to reach the playoffs.
The Lakers boast one of the best star trios in the NBA with Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, but they have played only eight games together this season due to both James and Reaves missing time due to injury.
Reaves is still on the shelf with a calf injury and it isn't yet known when he will be cleared to return.
Outside of their top three players, the Lakers are somewhat lacking in terms of quality depth.
Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart are the Lakers' main role players, but the lineup gets stretched thin when they are asked to play more minutes in order to replace an injured star.
The Lakers are only 20th in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage and 18th in points allowed per game, so they would benefit greatly from adding a legitimate 3-and-D player who can serve as the team's No. 4 scoring option behind Dončić, James and Reaves.
