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The Los Angeles Lakers are out of the race on many top trade targets, and could face competition with a new player mentioned in trade rumors.
TheLos Angeles Lakers have reportedly been interested in a ton of players as the 2026 NBA trade deadline quickly approaches.
However, at the same timethey’ve been linked to current and rising stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lauri Markkanen, Trey Murphy, and others, the Lakers actually figuring out a deal for any of them appears a loteasier said than done.
That’s why it appears the Lakers have shifted their focus and have a new trade target, who has a much lower price tag than all the others previously mentioned: Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings.
A recent article on ESPNsaw a mock trade in which the Lakers send Dalton Knecht and a 2032 second-round pickup North to Sacramento for Ellis in a deal that could drastically improve their defense.
However, with new trade rumors surrounding the New York Knicks, the Lakers could face steep competition for Ellis, a player who has recentlybeen named in trade rumors as a top candidate for title-contending (or hopeful) teams.
Lakers And Knicks In Keon Ellis Trade Rumors
Los Angeles needs all the help they can get on defense. Though their star trio of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves is all top-tier, for the most part, on offense, eachdoesn’t bring a whole lot to the table on the other side of the floor.
Whilethey’ve alsobeen linked to a ton of other players on the market, Ellis, making only $2.3 million in the final year of his current contract, would be a steal considering the current restrictions on theLakers’ salary cap.
Ellis is a 3-and-D player, and while a bit undersized and yet to show his full potential on the current Kings roster, he can impact both sides of the floor, and specifically for the Lakers, guard top wings and be a solid catch-and-shoot option with the star trio.
But still, the Knicks could use him as well to sure up some of their depth issues, as seen in their recent four-game losing streak.
“The 6-foot-4 guard is skinny but plays with great energy defensively and has good hand-eye coordination,”James L. Edwards wrote for The Athletic, linking the Knicks to Ellis in trade rumors. “Offensively, Ellis should be able to survive as a catch-and-shoot option as hedoesn’t have a great handle and creation on the ball, which is another weakness on theKnicks’ roster.”
For Los Angeles, they might not have, or be willing to offer, what New York could for Ellis. If theycan’t land anyone else in the trade market, their best bet would be hoping the Knicks go in a different direction and focus on another one of their other top trade targets.
Other Lakers Top Trade Targets
While they might notofficially be ruled out for some of the other blockbuster trade targets, the latest report on Antetokounmposignals the Lakers are out of the race. With Reaves andJames’ uncertain futures and impending free agency status,it’s nowhard tosee them making abombshell deal thatmoves one of the two for a new partner for Dončić.
However, they stillcan’t be ruled out from making waves before the trade deadline, targeting some of their other lower-tier prospects instead.
Namely, Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans. The price for his running-mate in Murphy appears to be too high, but Jones, on the other hand, could well be within LosAngeles’ reach.
“What teamcouldn’t use a 27-year-old,6’7”defensive wing earning roughly the league average this season?”Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote onJones’ trade value, naming L.A. as a realistic landing spot. “Interested parties may believe his efficiency will improve on a better team, but with the length of his contract, durability may diminish thePelicans’ expected return.”
Additionally, Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks has been a name tossed around linked to the Lakers over the last few months.The team was urged to target athleticism and defensive length in a trade, and with a previous relationship with Dončić, it could be a perfect fit, especially considering DeandreAyton‘s recent struggles.
“If the organization is going to make a win-now move, the return has to address that deficiency,”Grant Hughes wrote for Bleacher Report. “Former Dončić teammate Daniel Gafford should be a consideration.”
The Lakers need to make changes before the deadline;it’ll just come down to how much they are willing to pay for those changes.