Lakers Looking for Trade to Fix Critical Problem This Year

Nov 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

With roughly a quarter of the NBA season behind them, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking every bit of the championship contenders they hoped to be entering the season.

Adding center Deandre Ayton on a low-cost contract is looking like a better move with every game, as the 27-year-old is coming off a strong defensive performance against the Philadelphia 76ers while also shooting 7-for-7 from the field.

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In their first full season together, the trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is looking like one of the most fearsome offensive groupings in the league, with Doncic well on his way to competing for his first NBA MVP title.

The only thing the Lakers seem to be missing is a more versatile defender, as their team defensive rating ranks in the bottom half of the league, as the Lakers have allowed 116.1 points per game.

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With championship hopes on the line, the Lakers are specifically focused on acquiring defensive-minded players via trade, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

As certain teams across the league, including the 6-18 Sacramento Kings and the 3-22 New Orleans Pelicans, are on the brink of imploding, the Lakers could benefit from acquiring some of the tanking teams' young talent.

“I talked to somebody yesterday who said the Lakers are looking for a 3-and-D-type guy,” Amick said on FanDuel TV's Run it Back. “Could it be Keon [Ellis], Herb Jones, or somebody like that?”

Ellis is a 42.4 percent career three-point shooter who is a strong defender and could carve out a role in the Lakers' rotation if the Kings decide to part ways with the fourth-year player out of Alabama.

Jones, a former teammate of Ellis' at Alabama, is an elite defender and shot over 41 percent from three in his last fully healthy season in 2023-24.

The Lakers' championship window has never been open wider since they took home the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in 2020. With James very likely on his way out after this season, the Lakers would do well to go all-in on the 2025-26 season and deal for a young player who can provide a boost as both a deep shooter and a strong defender.

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