LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers trade rumors, LeBron James Dillon Brooks beef, Lakers Suns game, Keon Ellis trade rumors, Herb Jones trade rumors
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After their latest win over the Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in a new trade target, according to recent rumors.
TheLos Angeles Lakers have the star power to compete with most teams in the Western Conference, as their currently constructed roster has shown through the first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season,yet that hasn’t stopped recent trade rumors.
Specifically regarding adding depth to head coach JJ Redick’s roster, the Lakers have most recently been rumored to be interested in 3-and-D players in the trade market, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. While Los Angeles has shown reported interest in Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans, Stein believes another player could be on the table.
He wrote that the Lakers “would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market,” and that market would be “headlined” by Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers are now 18-7 with their latest clutch win against the Phoenix Suns.Yetstill, adding more depth, shooting, and defense is always a plus, and with their trade assets and contracts, they could offer a good enough deal to the Kings toget back Ellis.
Lakers Trade Rumors
Besides the obvious Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Lakers havebeen consistently linked to Andrew Wiggins, Jones, and now Ellis in recent trade rumors. While all three would offer something similar to this current Lakers roster, each is making a vastly different amount of money, ranging from Wiggins’ $28 million this year, Jones’ $14 million, and Ellis’ lowly $2.3 million in the last year of his rookie deal.
JSM
Keon Ellis would be a great Lakers trade target. Legit 25yr old two-way player that is a 42.9% career 3pt shooter and a plus defender.
On top of that, he has a small $2.3M salary to match through trade, and is under an expiring contract (lowers his trade value since you run the
Regardless, according to Stein, Ellis, set to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, is reportedly the Lakers’ new top target.The Kingslook to be going nowhere fast, andafter a report that they are open tothe idea of trading away many of their top players, Los Angeles could pounce on a deal before the deadline.
Trading for him in the last year of his rookie contract might require the Lakers to send over Dalton Knecht or another similar young player, along with a pick, but if it means adding perimeter defense and shooting in a bigger role, it’s hard to see them passing up on that opportunity.
This season, Ellis is averaging just 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.2 steals on 40% shooting in 17 minutes per game. His numbers are down from last year, but he continues to show promise despite thesmaller role in Doug Christie’s rotation this season, which is a good sign for Los Angeles.
As for Jones, it hasbeen reported multiple times that the Pelicans’ asking price could be too high for the Lakers. The same could be true for Wiggins, as a trade for either him or Jones would likely force Los Angeles to give up a rotational piece like Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and perhaps another asset.
NBACentral
Bill Simmons thinks the Lakers could land Herb Jones
“I would trade Herb Jones right now. The contract he’s at, literally what the Lakers need. And it’s easy, Knecht, Kleber, and a 2031 first. Call it in.”
(h/t @HoopAnalysisNet )
Lakers Beat Suns In Entertaining Battle
At the same time, the Lakers are reportedly interested in adding more depth, they’ve played well against playoff competition.Theydid recentlylose to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, but overall, they have found a seat near the top of the Western Conference standings for most of the season.
Most recently, the Lakers had a clutch win over the Suns, a game that saw another chapter added to the LeBron James and Dillon Brooks beef. The two came face-to-face multiple times during the matchup, with both receiving technical fouls in the earlier part of the contest.
While the Lakers had a lead for much of the night, Phoenix came back and took a late lead with a Brooks’ three-pointer.He then pushed Jamesfor what he thought was a shooting foul, which resulted in his second technical foul,andwas ejected. James then went on to miss his free throw, but was then fouled again on a late three-pointer of his own.
James made two of his three free throws to give his team the lead and the eventual two-point win in what was yet another clutch victory for the Lakers.
“He’s going to compete. I’m going to compete. We’re going to get up in each other’s face,” James said postgame. “I don’t really take it there. But we’re just competing and did that almost all the way to the end of the game.”
James finished with 26 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while Luka Doncic had a similar 29, three, and six, both on inefficient shooting.While the Lakers were also without Austin Reaves, they shot a combined 7/37 from deep, just another reason for them to be in the market for another 3-and-D threatlike Ellis or Jones.