The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a busy week as the NBA‘s February 5 trade deadline nears, with general manager Rob Pelinka widely expected to pursue upgrades that sharpen the roster’s weaknesses.
After progressing into the season as a firm playoff contender, Los Angeles has hit inconsistent stretches that exposed gaps in defense and two way play, especially on the perimeter.
That has fueled a fresh wave of trade chatter linking the Lakers to several wing players around the league as they look to refine their championship hopes.
Insiders from the Los Angeles Times report the Lakers are focused on adding players who can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor, aiming to address one of their most glaring needs.
According to those sources, the names that have been attached to the Lakers as potential trade targets are Dallas‘ Naji Marshall, a former Doncic teammate, Cleveland‘s De’Andre Hunter, Minnesota‘s Donte DiVincenzo and Sacramento‘s Keon Ellis.
Helping Doncic with new arrivals
That list highlights a spectrum of wing players – from emerging two way contributors to versatile scorers – whom Los Angeles believes could be immediate fits alongside stars like Luka Doni and LeBron James.
League executives have also mentioned a pair of Pelicans wings, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, as potential targets, though their asking prices remain steep.
“New Orleans‘ Troy Murphy III and Herbert Jones are two players the Lakers have shown some interest in-as have many other teams-but NBA people say the asking price is so high that teams are waiting to see if that comes down by the deadline next week.”
Those comments underscore how competitive the market has become, with several NBA franchises also in pursuit of similar talent profiles. For Los Angeles, the calculus is not simply acquiring a productive player, but doing so without mortgaging future flexibility or weakening the core rotation beyond repair.
In addition to bolstering wings, reporting notes the Lakers‘ broader perimeter needs and how that shapes their trade conversations. Teams like Sacramento, Minnesota, Cleveland and Dallas each hold pieces that could complement Los Angeles‘ style of play if a deal can be struck.
What the moves could do for the Lakers
If the Lakers do complete a deal before February 5, the impact could be immediately felt both offensively and defensively.
For a team that has shown elite scoring bursts but uneven defensive consistency, adding a strong perimeter presence would be particularly valuable.
As one league observer put it on ESPN‘s SportsCenter: “[The Lakers] need help on the perimeter… someone like Keon Ellis in Sacramento, De’Andre Hunter, Peyton Watson, the list goes on and on.”
That sentiment reflects a wider consensus within NBA circles that perimeter defense and additional shooting will be crucial for any team hoping to unseat Western Conference powerhouses such as the Denver Nuggets or Houston Rockets.
However, acquiring the right player – one who can excel in limited minutes yet elevate the team – will likely require the Lakers to part with valuable pieces or draft assets. The front office must strike a balance between improving now and maintaining future competitiveness.
With less than a week to go until the deadline, Lakers fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as trade talks intensify.
Whether Los Angeles secures one of its six named targets or pivots to a different strategy, the coming days could shape the trajectory of their 2025/26 campaign.
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