The NBA’s trade deadline is exactly one month away, and it has become beyond clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will need to make at least one deal before that deadline if they are to have any real shot at winning this season’s NBA championship.

They have a strong core centered around Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, as well as a few very solid non-stars and role players. But they could use one or two more role players or “connector” players who possess plenty of athleticism and are capable of providing above-average defense and high-accuracy 3-point shooting.

Right now, they lack tradable assets, but on draft day, they will be able to trade up to three first-round draft picks, including their 2026 first-rounder, once they use it on draft day. They should also have a lot more financial flexibility once the new league year arrives since several players’ contracts will expire, including that of James, who will make $52.6 million this season.

Insider Marc Stein wrote on his Substack that Los Angeles is willing to sacrifice that flexibility if it acquires a player who will move the needle right now.

“League sources say that the Lakers continue to scour the trade market in hopes of acquiring a two-way wing with size before the Feb. 5 trade deadline,” Stein wrote.

“Two factors, though, continue to work against a trade.

“1) The market for such wings who can shoot from distance and defend remains quite limited, with New Orleans still resistant to trade interest in both Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III.

“2) It’s believed that the Lakers are only going to sacrifice their projected financial flexibility in the summer — which is expected to furnish them with the ability to make significant roster changes — only if they can acquire a real needle-mover at the position. Will such a player actually become available over the next four weeks and change?”

Lakers fans are holding out hope that the team can swing a trade for future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo sometime between now and the start of next season. But it is unknown how serious L.A. is about trying to land him, or if he would even be available or want to play for the Purple and Gold.

Since such a trade may be unrealistic, the best fans can hope for may be a trade for one or two players who will upgrade the roster in terms of athleticism, defense and 3-point shooting. But that just may be enough to put the Lakers over the top.