Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves walking a familiar tightrope.
Sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 28-17, the Lakers have found momentum recently, winning four of their last five games.
Still, despite the uptick in form, the prevailing belief around the league is that the roster needs help to sustain a deep postseason run.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, Los Angeles has been active on the trade market with a clear focus on adding a young, reliable two-way wing and a rim-protecting center.
Lakers Running Into Familiar Trade Roadblocks
Any Lakers proposal is expected to center on expiring contracts, with Rui Hachimura’s $18.2 million, Gabe Vincent’s $11.5 million, and Maxi Kleber’s $11 million deals serving as the primary salary-matching pieces.
That approach, however, has yielded limited traction, with multiple reports suggesting that those expiring contracts have generated little external interest.
The Golden State Warriors has reportedly rebuffed any inquiries involving Jonathan Kuminga, a player the Lakers are believed to admire, while Dalton Knecht’s trade market has been described as virtually non-existent.
Combined with the fact that Los Angeles controls only one tradable first-round pick, the Lakers’ options have narrowed quickly.
That lone asset, however, may be key to unlocking a more creative path forward.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has reported that general manager Rob Pelinka has been exploring ways to trade either the Lakers’ 2031 or 2032 first-round pick in exchange for multiple future selections.
“In the past month, league sources told ESPN the Lakers have canvassed teams to see whether they could find a deal to send out their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick in order to get multiple firsts back for it,” McMenamin wrote. “Being armed with more tradable picks would give L.A. more options this trade season, beyond the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber.”
“A completely inactive trade deadline for a franchise that brands itself as singularly focused on championships would seem like a major miss.”
Creativity Over Convenience at the Deadline
With few clean paths to a meaningful upgrade, the Lakers appear increasingly aware that any impactful deadline move will require creativity rather than convenience.
Flipping a distant first-round pick for multiple selections in earlier draft years could dramatically reshape their flexibility.
Such a move would allow Los Angeles to regain access to additional first-rounders, expanding the number of trade constructions available both before the deadline and beyond it.
In that scenario, the Lakers would suddenly have far more combinations at their disposal, potentially bringing higher-caliber players within reach, whether in the coming days or during the offseason.
“Holding on to their current most coveted asset — either their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick — could be needed to use it as part of a bigger deal when the NBA business calendar turns over this summer and they’ll have more picks available to put in a package, possibly to replace part of their core,” McMenamin added.
Looking past the deadline, the Lakers’ greatest flexibility may ultimately come in the summer. As it stands, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both slated to hit free agency, a reality that could significantly reshape the roster.
Retaining the 2032 first-round pick would still allow Los Angeles to control multiple future firsts this offseason, preserving optionality for a larger reset or retool.
According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, the Lakers are projected to have more than $55 million in available cap space this summer, enough room to pursue significant additions.
For now, the Lakers remain caught between urgency and restraint.
Acting aggressively risks complicating the long-term picture around Luka Doncic. Waiting protects future flexibility, but may squander what remains of James’ championship window.