The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting several players to add to their roster at the trade deadline. Here is one NBA Insider’s assessment on how realistically they can acquire these targets.
Insider Shares His Take on How Realistic the Los Angeles Lakers’ Trade Targets Are
Currently, the Lakers look like they’ll be one of the teams with a playoff berth at the conclusion of the regular season. The front office is not content with this, though, and is aiming to become contenders.
However, their roster composition has some issues that are holding them back from being considered true contenders. As such, they are hoping to make major moves to acquire high-impact role players before the trade deadline passes.
Six players have been linked to them as possible trade targets. Namely: Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Naji Marshall, Donte DiVincenzo, Keon Ellis, and DeAndre Hunter.
However, not all six are realistic acquisitions for them. Lakers Insider Jovan Buha shares which ones are most likely to end up donning the purple and gold ahead of Feb. 5.
“Trey Murphy’s not happening. He’s too good, The Lakers don’t have enough unless they’re putting Austin [Reaves] on the table which they’re not,” Buha said. “Herb Jones should be available for a first round pick if the Lakers are putting that on the table, but it seems like New Orleans [Pelicans] are overvaluing him to a degree.”
As for Marshall, Buha said that the issue lies with the Dallas Mavericks. Specifically, it’s a question of whether they’re getting the best package available, and it turning into a PR nightmare if they don’t.
Buha also ruled out DiVincenzo, saying he doesn’t see the Minnesota Timberwolves engaging in trade talks with the Lakers.
He then pivoted to the two remaining players, whom he said are more attainable.
“Keon Ellis and De’Andre Hunter, though, these are two guys that I think are much more realistic,” Buha said. “Keon comes down to the price and if Sacramento is going to hold strong in terms of demanding a first round pick.”
As for Hunter, if the Cleveland Cavaliers accept a combination of Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, and a second-round pick, then Buha sees it happening. However, if the Cavs also ask for Rui Hachimura and a first-round pick, it’s unlikely the Lakers’ front office will go through with it.
Following their 129-99 loss against the Cavs on Wednesday, the Lakers are 28-18. They are in sixth place in the West, and if the postseason started tomorrow, then they’ll have the final guaranteed playoff berth in their conference. However, their grasp on that sixth spot is quite frail, and the Phoenix Suns are gaining on them.
One of the things holding them back from being more consistent winners is their inconsistent rebounding. As a team, they are 26th in the league in rebounds per game with 41.3.
Defensively, they are also struggling. They’ve allowed their opponents to hit 48.6 percent of their field goals, which is the fourth worst in the league. This has led them to surrender an average of 116.5 points per game, ranking 20th among all teams.