Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on before a game against the Chicago Bulls.
As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers’ search for reliable help on the wing and in the paint is beginning to intensify.
On the perimeter, adding a young 3-and-D wing has long appeared to be a priority for general manager Rob Pelinka, who continues to look for a move that meaningfully raises the team’s ceiling without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
A wide range of names have circulated in recent weeks, including Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, DeAndre Hunter, Miles Bridges, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga.
Yet one name continues to surface more consistently than the rest.
Lakers Among Multiple Teams Tracking Kings Wing
Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis has emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned options, though according to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Lakers are far from alone in their pursuit of the young wing.
“The Lakers, Pistons, Raptors, Sixers, and Warriors are among the huge group of teams who have shown trade interest in Keon Ellis,” Sidery reported. “Unable to find a consistent role in Sacramento, Ellis is viewed as a player who will fit well within a contender’s rotation.”
At just 26-years-old and on an affordable contract, Ellis checks several boxes for Pelinka. He fits the profile of the type of value driven, “bargain” addition that ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst have previously suggested the Lakers are prioritizing ahead of the deadline.
Ellis is coming off a career best season in 2024-25, when he averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and nearly a block per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 43.3% from three-point range.
This season, however, his role has diminished. Despite Sacramento struggling near the bottom of the Western Conference, Ellis has seen both his minutes and opportunities decline.
His playing time has dropped from 24.4 minutes per game to 17.4, and through 40 appearances he is averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.2% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
Still, across 193 NBA games, Ellis is a 41.5% three-point shooter and profiles as a low usage, defensive-minded complement alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
Flexibility Drives Lakers Trade Approach
Much of the Lakers’ trade speculation to this point has revolved around larger expiring contracts such as Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million), which could be used to facilitate a more significant move if the right opportunity arises.
An Ellis deal, by contrast, would fall firmly into the category of a smaller, complementary transaction, one that allows Los Angeles to address a clear need without compromising future plans.
The Lakers remain intent on preserving flexibility to chase more impactful upgrades, and Ellis’ modest salary would not obstruct that broader strategy.
He is in the final year of a three year, $5.1 million contract and is earning $2.3 million this season.
Second-year guard Dalton Knecht, who earns roughly $4 million annually, could theoretically be included as salary filler in a deal, though his trade value has reportedly cooled amid a recent downturn in form, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Draft capital remains the most significant variable. Sacramento’s asking price will be key, particularly with the Lakers currently controlling only one tradable first-round pick, either in 2031 or 2032.
That limitation is well-known, and there is growing belief that Pelinka is exploring ways to restructure that asset into multiple future selections to increase the team’s trade flexibility, as reported by Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports.
If that approach proves successful, it would meaningfully expand the Lakers’ options ahead of the deadline, whether in pursuit of Ellis or another wing upgrade, while also leaving room to address needs in the paint.