Rob Pelinka
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Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka during a press conference in June 2024
As the February 5 trade deadline draws closer, the Los Angeles Lakers are increasingly viewed as one of the more active teams to monitor.
Early in the season, the prevailing belief was that Los Angeles would approach the deadline quietly, limited by a narrow pool of tradable assets.
Now, there is a growing belief that general manager Rob Pelinka is actively canvassing the market in search of roster upgrades.
Much of that focus has centered on adding a young two-way wing and perimeter help. One high-profile name, however, has appeared in trade speculation around the league for months.
And it now appears the Lakers have no intention of entering that race.
Lakers Rule Out Michael Porter Jr. Pursuit
There has been speculation about whether the Lakers could involve themselves in discussions for Michael Porter Jr., with several teams reportedly monitoring his availability following a standout season with the Brooklyn Nets.
According to ClutchPoints’ NBA reporter Brett Siegel, a move to Los Angeles is not under serious consideration.
“The talk of the Los Angeles Lakers possibly throwing their hat in the mix for Porter isn’t a realistic possibility and something they do not have a desire to do, sources said,” Siegel wrote.
“The Lakers have signaled that they do not want to take on big money at this time, regardless of how many years a player has left on their contract.”
After being acquired from the Denver Nuggets last offseason, Porter Jr. has delivered a career-high campaign in Brooklyn.
Through 34 games, he is averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and an impressive 39.6% from three on 9.5 attempts per game.
For a Lakers roster already built offensively around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves when healthy, adding another high-volume scorer and shooter would do little to address the team’s more pressing needs.
Salary Flexibility Shapes Lakers Strategy
Beyond roster fit, financial considerations appear to be the primary deterrent.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst recently reported that the Lakers are unlikely to pursue blockbuster deals at the deadline, instead prioritizing value-driven moves.
“They’re going to be looking for bargain deals and they might be able to find one if they’re willing to take on long-term money,” Bontemps and Windhorst stated that one West general manager said.
Porter Jr. is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $179.2 million contract. He is earning $38.3 million this season and is owed $40.8 million through the 2026-27 campaign.
In theory, the Lakers could assemble a matching salary package using their expiring contracts, including Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million). In practice, doing so would come at a cost.
Los Angeles is projected to have more than $55 million in cap space this summer, flexibility the front office appears reluctant to jeopardize. Bontemps and Windhorst further outlined those constraints.
“They sit just $1.1 million below the first apron and aren’t permitted to exceed it, leaving them little maneuverability to take on short-term money,” they reported. “If L.A. waits until July, it will have three tradable first-round picks, cap space and salary flexibility.”
The Lakers currently control only one tradable first-round pick from either 2031 or 2032. While there have been reports that Pelinka is exploring ways to restructure that asset into multiple picks.
Brooklyn’s reported asking price complicates matters, with the Nets seeking as many as two first-round picks in any deal involving Porter Jr., a cost that would place the forward firmly outside the Lakers’ comfort zone as the deadline approaches.