With the NBA trade deadline quickly approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to be on the market in hopes of giving this roster a boost that can lift it closer to title contention. One thing this team is in dire need of upgrading is their perimeter defense and the front office is known to be looking for two-way wings.<\/p>\n
There have been a handful of names that the Lakers are reportedly eyeing with some, like New Orleans Pelicans\u2019 wings Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones likely out of their price range. But according to Broderick Turner and Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the L.A. Times<\/a>, the Lakers are also targeting Dallas\u2019 Naji Marshall, Cleveland\u2019s De\u2019Andre Hunter, Sacramento\u2019s Keon Ellis and Minnesota\u2019s Donte DiVincenzo ahead of the trade deadline:<\/p>\n According to some of those NBA folks, the names that have been attached to the Lakers as potential trade targets are Dallas\u2019 Naji Marshall, a former Doncic teammate, Cleveland\u2019s De\u2019Andre Hunter, Minnesota\u2019s Donte DiVincenzo and Sacramento\u2019s Keon Ellis. New Orleans\u2019 Troy Murphy III and Herbert Jones are two players the Lakers have shown some interest in \u2014 as have many other teams \u2014 but NBA people say the asking price is so high that teams are waiting to see if that comes down by the deadline next week.<\/p>\n There are certainly some intriguing names there with each bringing something a bit different to the table. Ellis is someone who is ideal as a point-of-attack defender who could be the Lakers\u2019 primary defender on the quicker point guards the team has struggled to guard for years, while also shooting over 41% from deep for his career. Marshall doesn\u2019t bring the shooting of the others, but is a strong, versatile defender who can score and create as well.<\/p>\n Hunter is a bigger wing who is ideal for defending the bigger forwards the Lakers have to deal with and, while he is struggling from deep this year, has shown himself to be a great shooter on higher volume in past seasons. The same can be said for DiVincenzo, who is a career 38% shooter from deep, can defend both guard positions at a high level, and has proven he can deliver on big stages under bright lights as well.<\/p>\n The cost of acquiring each of these players varies, but the Lakers\u2019 front office is clearly doing their due diligence on players who could come in and help this team.<\/p>\n Lakers\u2019 willing to include Rui Hachimura in trades? <\/p>\n The Lakers don\u2019t have much to include in a trade in terms of draft capital so the team could have to part ways with an important piece or two. And the Lakers could be willing to include Rui Hachimura in a deal<\/a> if it is for a player who they feel will greatly improve the team.<\/p>\n