After their big bounce-back win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers are officially tied for the second-best record in the Western Conference at 17-6. Despite the impressive record and several things going their way, there are many questions surrounding the Lakers’ current roster.
One big question is how to improve the current roster as it is currently constructed.
Although the Lakers have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA, if they plan on bringing title 18 back to Southern California, they must make some trades, as the Lakers need more athleticism, length, shooting, and speed on the wings. They need more rebounding and physicality in the post if they want a chance of making a legit run.
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Potential Los Angeles Lakers Trade Targets
Here is a list of three players the Lakers should target between now and the NBA trade deadline in February. If Rob Pelinka and company sincerely want to address the Lakers’ needs and make their roster a legit threat to take down Oklahoma City or Houston in the playoffs, they add one or multiple guys on this.
Trey Murphy – New Orleans Pelicans
Murphy is the pie-in-the-sky dream target of the Lakers, but after last season’s trade deadline deal for Luka Dončić, we all saw firsthand that anything and everything can happen in the current NBA. After breaking out last season by averaging 21.2 points per game, Murphy has had another solid season, averaging 21 points per game once again this season through 23 games.
The reason Murphy should be the top target for the Lakers in any trade talk is that he’s one of the best shooting wings in the NBA and a versatile 6-8 athletic defender who can help a Lakers defense that’s long in the tooth. A career 38% three-point shooter, Murphy’s athletic ability to defend guards at a high level gives the Lakers a better chance to compete against the Thunder and Rockets, who have major advantages on the perimeter over the Lakers’ current roster.
Murphy’s all-around two-way skill set, along with his ability to make open three-pointers, would perfectly complement the games of Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
Daniel Gafford – Dallas Mavericks
Although his numbers this season are a tad bit down, Gafford’s rim-running, lob-catching game meshes perfectly alongside Dončić’s game and gives the Lakers a strong rebounder and defender who can consistently give them big minutes.
Gafford has been a trade target of the Lakers since last year’s trade deadline, as many in the organization believe his physical presence and the fact that he was at his best when paired with Dončić during the Mavs’ 2024 Finals run could greatly benefit the team come playoff time.
After signing a three-year, $54.2 million extension in July 2025, which starts in the 2026-27 season, Gafford has the contract and ability to be a long-term positive fixture for Lakers Nation. The 6-foot-10-inch big man could become free if the Mavericks continue to struggle in the first half of the season.
Herb Jones – New Orleans Pelicans
Despite struggling with his shot this season, Jones would be a big upgrade over Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent, who serve in the role as “three and D” guards for the Lakers right now. The first team NBA All-Defensive 2024 member can guard any player in the league on the perimeter and would give the Lakers some of the length and athleticism they desperately need.
Jones’ ability to spot up and make shots would give the Lakers another option for their very efficient offense, but his ability to guard elite players who routinely kill the Lakers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards is his biggest draw.