Lakers, JJ Redick, LeBron James, Lakers trade, NBA trade deadline
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick congratulates Lakers LeBron James after the team pulls away from the Memphis Grizzlies to win 121-128 at Crypto.com Arena on January 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 22-11 and 12-0 in clutch games with their 120-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night. And yet, they have the fifth-shortest odds to represent the West in the 2026 NBA Finals, behind the Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets and Spurs.
Those oddsmakers are justified to have trepidations about the Lakers, who rank 24th in defensive rating (117.6), 27th in OPP FG% (.487) and 29th in OPP 3P% (.377). Even offensively, JJ Redick’s team is not setting the NBA on fire, as they ranked 18th in offensive rating in December with a negative 8.2 point differential.
The Lakers may have won 22 games, but they have a 0.0 point differential through 33 games, meaning they’ve barely beaten teams. In fact, they’ve been outscored by 0.2 points per 100 possessions, giving them the NBA’s 16th-best net rating. That pales in comparison to the Thunder (14.4), Rockets (8.6), Nuggets (6.2) and Spurs (5.4).
Lakers Biggest Roster Hole
It’s been widely acknowledged that a 3&D wing is the biggest role hole the Lakers need to fill ahead of the NBA trade deadline. That profile of a player has been missing since they lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency last summer. Although Rui Hachimura has turned himself into a knockdown 3-point shooter, he’s not a defensive specialist that JJ Redick can entrust to guard quality wing scorers and perimeter threats.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey predicts the Lakers will get their man by the NBA trade deadline, though he didn’t specify which of their targets they will land.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have been a borderline disaster on defense this season, and they edge closer to that line when all three of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James are on the floor. The most obvious way to address the problem might be a Reaves blockbuster that brings back an All-Defense-caliber wing or guard, but that feels too drastic and shortsighted,” wrote Bailey.
“…Still, it feels like the Lakers need to do something to slow down opponents, even if it’s a deal for a less heralded defensive stopper.”
Lakers Trade Target: 3&D Wing
That “less heralded defensive stopper” could come in the form of LA Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. or Charlotte Hornets’ Josh Green, both of whom were teammates of Luka Doncic when the Slovenian led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, or Brooklyn Nets‘ Terrance Mann, who is said to be available in deals.
Or even Sacramento Kings’ Keon Ellis, an unrestricted free agent this summer, who is reportedly available for the price of one protected first-round pick.
The more high-profile defensive stoppers would be the New Orleans Pelicans’ Herb Jones and Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins, who’ve been linked as top Lakers trade targets dating back to the start of training camp.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, there doesn’t seem to be much of a pathway for Jones or Wiggins, and they could be forced to settle for a lesser name.
“While Lakers fans can fantasize about some all-out liquidation of the Pelicans’ roster, team and league sources tell The Athletic that New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones,” The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported on Dec. 11.
“And considering what LA would have to offer in a deal, expiring contracts and a single first-round pick, the Pelicans almost certainly wouldn’t engage at that price point.”
The Heat have also reportedly set a very high asking price for Wiggins, one that the Lakers could struggle to match.