Two Lakers Players Surface as Potential Trade Pieces Ahead of Deadline

It has been nearly a year since the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA by acquiring superstar Luka Doncic in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks last February.

As the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches this season, the Lakers are not expected to make another blockbuster trade deal that matches the caliber of the Doncic deal.

Instead, Los Angeles will likely “recalibrate the finer points of the roster and salary sheet to set up for the true Doncic era”, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. Two Lakers players have emerged as potential trade candidates for the Lakers ahead of the deadline: Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht.

“NBA executives and scouts said, Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and his expiring $18-million contract is a name that comes up often as a tradeable player. Hachimura’s recent outstanding play has increased his trade value around the league, but it also has made the forward a very valuable player for the Lakers,” Turner wrote.

“Knecht was playing with a lot of confidence through a brief stretch of this season, exhibited most by him taking charges in consecutive games against the Pelicans and the Spurs. But the Lakers have already shown they are comfortable parting with the former 17th overall pick. He was sent to Charlotte last year before the Mark Williams trade fell through,” Nguyen wrote.

The Lakers traded Knecht last season to the Charlotte Hornets but he returned after center Mark Williams reportedly failed his physical examination with Los Angeles. Knecht has seen a big reduction in playing time this season and was sent to play with the South Bay Lakers in the G League in December.

Knecht has reportedly asked the Lakers front office to trade him, according to a report from Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin.

Meanwhile, Hachimura could be a good trade option for the Lakers to compensate for the franchise’s lack of draft assets. He has averaged 12.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 35 games this season.

Who Would the Lakers Trade For?

The Lakers are reportedly interested in acquiring help on defense and a big wing player at the deadline, per Turner.

Turner also reported that the Lakers have been linked to Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenz, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis and New Orleans Pelicans forwards Troy Murphy III and Herbert Jones.

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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