The Los Angeles Lakers must upgrade their roster before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, and a deal with the Sacramento Kings could check several boxes for them. LA needs a perimeter defensive stopper like Keon Ellis, but doesn’t want to give up its lone tradeable first-round draft pick. That [is the Kings' asking price](https://lakeshowlife.com/nba-insider-throws-cold-water-lakers-trading-keon-ellis), so the Lakers must incentivize Sacramento in other ways.
The Kings want to move on from Malik Monk and Devin Carter. Both players are on the fringes of Sacramento’s rotation and are in trade rumors. Sacramento could net significant future savings, but sending them out of town. Monk [played well for the Lakers](https://lakeshowlife.com/los-angeles-lakers-former-fan-favorite-could-be-traded-before-deadline-malik-monk) in his one-year stint in 2022, and Carter has significant defensive upside if given the right opportunities.
The Lakers have multiple expiring contracts to trade and could give Sacramento some draft capital to even things out. This no-brainer move may be the Kings' best offer for Ellis. It gives them salary relief and some capital for his expiring guard.
No-brainer trade that makes the Lakers a serious title threat
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The Lakers are 25th in 3-point percentage and 22nd in defensive rating this season. They lack depth around their stars. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves give Los Angeles the top-end talent to compete with any team, but the lineup balance is nearly impossible.
If the Lakers can trade their first-round pick for an upgrade over Deandre Ayton at the five, they would be a legitimate championship threat after this deal. Ellis, Monk, and Carter could all find postseason minutes if put in positions to maximize their skill sets. Ellis brings defense and toughness that LA desperately needs. Monk would space the floor, and Carter can defend multiple positions.
The Kings would have to strongly consider this package as they look to rebuild their roster under new general manager Scott Perry.
Vincent, Kleber, and Knecht have struggled this season. All three may be out of the rotation in the playoffs. The Lakers tried to trade Knecht to Charlotte for Mark Williams, but the deal was later rescinded after the big man failed his physical. Vincent and Kleber will depart in the offseason, so Los Angeles could get ahead of it with this deal.
Carter was a lottery pick in 2024 and could take a massive leap on his second NBA team. He put up monster numbers in his two G League games this season and profiled as a strong two-way player coming out of college. Fans wouldn’t jump for joy when the trade was announced, but Carter could become the best player in this deal.
The Lakers have reshaped their roster at the deadline in two of the last three years. Expect Rob Pelinka and the front office to be aggressive. Luka and AR are in their primes. This is LeBron’s best chance at a fifth ring. The time is now for LA.
The Los Angeles Lakers should call the Kings about a Keon Ellis trade and see if taking Malik Monk and Devin Carter is enough to get Sacramento to lower the price below a first-round draft pick. It may just be, and that could help the Lakers take the needed step into title contention.