Lakers' trade deadline hopes hinge on these two 3&D wings

RC Nazemi

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Lakers' trade deadline hopes hinge on these two 3&D wings image

Credit: William Liang / Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are a curious case this season. They're currently 18-7 and the 4th seed in the West, only a half game back of the 2nd seed. Despite this, they have some of the most glaring flaws among the teams in their conference. 

They're stuck in such a strange middle ground at the moment. You're winning games and have an MVP candidate in Luka Dončić at the helm, so do you go all in?

Or, do you recognize the flaws that presently exist could restrict you from even making it out of the first round again and punt this season in hopes of making a big splash in 2027 FA?

More: Here are the two ways the Lakers can fix their biggest issues

Recently, Zach Lowe reported that this new Lakers management is looking to maximize this team, not look ahead. So what does that mean for the Lakers' trade deadline hopes this season? 

With talks of them pursuing 3&D style players, in a fairly barren market, their hopes may just hinge on these two players. 

Pelicans' Herb Jones and Kings' Keon Ellis fit the Lakers' bill 

With the market currently devoid of any superstar-level 3&D talents, it's up to Rob Pelinka and the Lakers organization to fix their problems on the fringes. 

Two players out there right now that wouldn't break the bank to acquire, but would instantly help are the Pelicans' Herb Jones and the Kings' Keon Ellis. 

Herb Jones has been linked to the Lakers since last season, and the fit would make total sense. A rangy defender who can guard the opponents' best player and knock down threes at a 36% rate on the other end. Swapping him into the starting lineup for Rui Hachimura would bear instant dividends. 

Keon Ellis, on the other hand, is a newer name that just started popping up in Lakers conversations this summer. 

The 6'4 4th year wing from Sacramento would be an excellent role player addition to this Lakers roster. As he plays more of a guard position than forward, he'd likely come off the bench, upgrading that unit. 

If you look at the Lakers' bench, it's riddled with dead money. Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht take up three roster spots and $26.5M in contracts without providing much of anything to this team. 

Swapping out those dead contracts for a wiry wing who shoots 37% from three and averages 1.2 steals per game would be a night-and-day difference. 

Regardless of whether it's one or both of those players picked up by LA, something needs to be done, because as presently constructed, this is not a championship-caliber roster. 

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Contributing Writer