Rob Pelinka
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Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka in April 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers are always one of the most talked about teams in the NBA ahead of a trade deadline and this season has been no different.
With the February 5 deadline coming up quickly, the Lakers don’t have much time to make a move. They have already seen one of their rumored top trade targets, Keon Ellis, get traded elsewhere. Rob Pelinka will have to decide just how aggressive to be.
At this point in the year, Los Angeles has shown flashes of being a contender. However, there have been other moments where the team looks nothing close to an NBA Finals caliber squad.
Keeping that in mind, there are a lot of players around the league who could make sense for the Lakers. There is one potentially perfect potion that no one is talking about the team could consider targeting.
Los Angeles Lakers Could Look Into Dealing With the Golden State Warriors
One potential sleeper target for Los Angeles could be Golden State Warriors veteran guard Buddy Hield.
At 33 years old, Hield has fallen out of the Warriors’ rotation this season. He has played in 43 games and made three starts, but has averaged just 17.2 minutes per appearance.
During those games, Hield has averaged eight points per game to go along with 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 steals. Hield has also shot 43.6 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three-point range.
Over the years, Hield has been one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooters. Adding more shooting to the roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron James would make a lot of sense. Hield wouldn’t be an expensive option either.
Whether or not Golden State wants to deal Hield or not remains to be seen. There have been reports that the Warriors are listening to trade offers for the veteran guard, but none of those rumors have been connected to the Lakers yet.
Other Rumored Trade Targets for the Lakers
Obviously, Ellis was one of the most talked about potential additions for Los Angeles. He was traded along with Dennis Schroder by the Sacramento Kings to the Cleveland Cavaliers for De’Andre Hunter. That option has been crossed off the list.
Another intriguing option who has been suggested for the Lakers is Dallas Mavericks guard Naji Marshall. Donte DiVincenzo of the Minnesota Timberwolves is another name to watch, while Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans could also make sense.
Pelinka has never been shy to swing big. That much could be seen last year at this time of year when Los Angeles pulled off one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NBA history to acquire Luka Doncic from the Mavericks.
As the Lakers pursue getting back into legitimate NBA Finals contention, no one should expect them to stand pat now. Los Angeles would like to make a deal to improve its chances this season.
Expect to hear plenty of rumors about the Lakers over the next few days. Hield may not be a talked about option right now, but he would make a lot of sense for Los Angeles.