Rob Pelinka, JJ Redick, Lakers
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Lakers president Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick in a press conference.
With their realistic 3-and-D wing options rapidly disappearing and a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster out of reach in the short term, the Los Angeles Lakers have turned their attention to a familiar type of deadline target: a high-motor shooter who can defend at the point of attack.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, that player is Donte DiVincenzo.
Siegel reported on Wednesday that the Lakers have recently expressed interest in the Timberwolves guard as they survey a tightening wing market across the NBA. But as has been the case with several recent Lakers trade explorations, discussions have stalled before gaining traction.
Lakers’ Wing Options Vanish as Market Tightens
The Lakers entered the final week before Thursday’s trade deadline searching for perimeter help on both ends of the floor. Instead, they watched two of the most realistic targets previously linked to them—De’Andre Hunter and Keon Ellis—get traded for each other over the weekend as part of a multi-team deal.
Other wings connected to Los Angeles earlier in the season never materialized. Andrew Wiggins, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Naji Marshall were either deemed unavailable by their teams or priced well beyond what the Lakers were willing—or able—to offer.
That shrinking landscape has pushed the Lakers toward secondary options who can still address their most glaring weaknesses: perimeter defense and three-point shooting.
Donte DiVincenzo Emerges as Latest Trade Target
GettyDonte DiVincenzo of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
DiVincenzo fits that profile cleanly.
“Among teams to speak with the Timberwolves lately, the Los Angeles Lakers expressed interest in swingman Donte DiVincenzo,” Siegel wrote.
However, any potential deal has been complicated by Minnesota’s own ambitions higher up the trade food chain.
“These talks have not progressed to anything significant,” Siegel added, “as the Timberwolves would only consider moving DiVincenzo if it helped them pull off a trade for Giannis.”
From Minnesota’s perspective, DiVincenzo is a useful rotation piece on a manageable contract. From the Lakers’ standpoint, he is a high-end role player—but not one worth surrendering their most valuable remaining trade asset.
Lakers Reluctant to Move Lone First-Round Pick
The Lakers remain unwilling to part with their lone tradable first-round pick—their 2031 selection—for anything short of a clear impact addition.
DiVincenzo, while valuable, does not meet that threshold internally.
The Lakers’ front office has consistently drawn a line at dealing future firsts for role players, preferring instead to preserve draft capital for a potential star-level opportunity. That stance has limited their flexibility at the deadline but aligns with a longer-term strategy.
Why DiVincenzo Would Help Los Angeles
From a basketball standpoint, DiVincenzo checks multiple boxes for a Lakers team that continues to struggle on the perimeter.
Los Angeles ranks 24th in defensive rating and sits near the bottom of the league in three-point volume and efficiency, ranking 23rd in both attempts and makes while shooting just 34.9 percent from deep.
DiVincenzo’s value lies in his spacing, ball pressure and instincts in passing lanes. The 6-foot-4 Villanova product is averaging 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals this season while shooting 38.8 percent from three.
He showcased that skill set Monday against Memphis, scoring 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc while adding two steals.
On a roster built around Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, DiVincenzo would project as a connective piece capable of defending guards, moving without the ball and punishing defensive rotations.
Giannis Timeline Could Reopen Lakers’ Door
While the Lakers are not viewed leaguewide as a serious in-season contender for Antetokounmpo, that assessment could change if the Bucks push the decision into the offseason.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Los Angeles’ lack of assets makes them a non-factor if a trade happens before the deadline—but not necessarily beyond it.
“No one is talking about the Lakers as a factor in the Giannis Sweepstakes right now because they’re not a factor if a trade is going to happen by week’s end,” Stein wrote. “They don’t have enough tradeable assets to join the in-season bidders.”
“But if the Bucks do ultimately decide to take this saga into that spring,” Stein added, “the Lakers, league sources say, would then indeed become a very viable threat.”
Lakers’ Current Trade Assets Remain Limited
As the deadline approaches, the Lakers’ movable contracts remain centered on Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million), along with second-year guard Dalton Knecht and future second-round picks.
League feedback on that package has been lukewarm.
As the clock ticks down to Thursday’s trade deadline, Los Angeles appears content to hold its position—monitoring opportunities like DiVincenzo while keeping its most valuable assets intact for a bigger swing that may come later.