De'Andre Hunter, Lakers
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De'Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers could be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of a 3-and-D wing has not slowed — but it has widened.
While the Lakers have held discussions centered on Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter, the latest report indicates they are simultaneously exploring additional trade avenues, including veterans on the Brooklyn Nets.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Lakers have expressed interest in Brooklyn forward Haywood Highsmith and center Day’Ron Sharpe as part of their broader deadline evaluation.
“There are some within the Cavs organization who like the idea of adding Dalton Knecht in a buy-low spot to get off Hunter’s contract, yet discussions have been ongoing,” Siegel wrote Thursday on X. “The Lakers have expressed interest in Haywood Highsmith and Day’Ron Sharpe from Brooklyn.”
The parallel pursuits reflect a Lakers front office casting a wide net as it searches for perimeter defense and frontcourt stability ahead of the trade deadline.
Nets Open to Moving Haywood Highsmith for Draft Capital
haywood highsmith
GettyFormer Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith is drawing interest from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Highsmith, 29, remains sidelined as he recovers from right knee surgery performed in August. There is no firm timetable for his return, though he is expected to resume basketball activity later this season.
When healthy, Highsmith has established himself as a reliable two-way role player. Last season in Miami, he carved out a consistent role on a playoff team with his defensive versatility and willingness to guard multiple positions.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Brooklyn is open to moving Highsmith during trade season.
“The Nets are open to moving veteran wing Haywood Highsmith during trade season for second-round draft capital,” Sidery reported earlier this month.
Highsmith is on an expiring $5.6 million contract, making him a low-risk acquisition for teams seeking wing depth without long-term financial commitments.
Day’Ron Sharpe Draws Interest as Lakers Assess Center Depth
Day'Ron Sharpe, Luka Doncic, Lakers
GettyLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles as Day’Ron Sharpe of the Brooklyn Nets defends.
Sharpe, 24, represents a different type of opportunity.
The 6-foot-10 center is on a team-friendly two-year, $12.5 million deal, with his $6.3 million salary for next season carrying a team option. He is coming off a seven-point, nine-rebound performance in Brooklyn’s 107–103 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
The Nets center has been productive in limited playing time, averaging 7.8 points on 60.3% shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 18.2 minutes per game this season.
Sharpe has spent most of his career as a backup but has drawn interest from multiple teams in need of frontcourt reinforcement, including the Boston Celtics, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto, adding another layer of competition for the Lakers.
Given the Lakers’ uncertain center situation, Sharpe profiles as a potential low-risk, high-upside option.
Center Questions Continue to Hover Over Lakers
Los Angeles’ interest in Sharpe comes as questions persist around its current center rotation.
Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has seen his production dip following a strong start to the season. After averaging 16.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 76.1% shooting in November, Ayton’s January numbers fell to 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 56.5%.
Ayton has also expressed frustration with his offensive role.
“Bigs can’t feed themselves,” Ayton said earlier this month. “I just try my best to do what I can to bring effort, and I trust my playmakers out there to find me.”
Ayton holds an $8.1 million player option for next season. Behind him, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber are both on expiring contracts, leaving the Lakers with little long-term certainty at the position.
De’Andre Hunter Trade Framework Still in Play
Despite the expanded search, Hunter remains a central figure in the Lakers’ trade discussions.
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the Lakers and Cavaliers have explored a framework involving Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura, with a potential third team needed to make the finances work.
“Because the Lakers are right below the apron — about $900,000 under it — but they are still a tax team, there are restrictions they have to deal with,” Fedor said on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. “My sources tell me that the Cavs and the Lakers have discussed a general framework surrounding De’Andre Hunter, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht, with the idea of bringing in a third team.”
Fedor added that Brooklyn, Utah and Washington have all been mentioned as possible facilitators due to their cap flexibility.
Lakers Balancing Flexibility and Urgency
The Lakers currently have one tradable first-round pick, a second-round pick, five pick swaps and nearly $50 million in expiring contracts to deploy. That limited but flexible asset pool has forced the front office to balance urgency with optionality.
Whether the Nets’ veterans ultimately become part of a larger three-team construction — or remain parallel fallback options — remains unclear.
What is clear is that the Lakers are no longer focused on a single path.
As the trade deadline approaches, Los Angeles continues to probe multiple markets, weighing immediate upgrades against longer-term flexibility in an increasingly complex trade landscape with their limited assets.