Lakers Get Good News On Top Targets As Trade Rumors Intensify

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t as concerning as teams like the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. However, just over two weeks before the 2026 NBA trade deadline, all signs point to them still having eyes for several players potentially available on the trade market.

Most of the Lakers’ previously thought targets can now likely be ruled out, but based on the latest trade rumors, the Purple and Gold could still be in the hunt for a few rising or current stars that could drastically help their issues on both sides of the court.

Writing for Bleacher Report, Eric Pincus named the Lakers as a realistic landing spot for Herb Jones, Jonathan Kuminga, and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Los Angeles has been linked to all three over the past few weeks, in Jackson’s case it wasn’t due to any reported interest from their end, but rather controversial comments made by LeBron James‘ agent Rich Paul, but all three could be potential targets, even with the big price tags, as the Lakers look to remain competitive in the second half of the season.

Lakers Get Good News On Trade Targets

As mentioned, the Lakers have been linked to many players since the start of the season until now, with just over two weeks before the February 5th trade deadline. One of those names has been Jones, who has only played in one game over the past month, which, of course, came against Los Angeles. 

“What team couldn’t use a 27-year-old, 6’7″ defensive wing earning roughly the league average this season?” Pincus wrote on Jones. 

He hasn’t shot as great this year compared to seasons past, but with an ankle injury keeping him sidelined, perhaps once back healthy and with a chance of scenery, he could be a strong wing partner next to Luka Doncic, taking on the brunt of the defensive responsibilities for the Lakers. 

In a somewhat similar position is Kuminga, who, after Jimmy Butler‘s torn ACL, has an even more uncertain future in Golden State. Los Angeles has been linked to the 23-year-old, but like Jones, he hasn’t been able to show his true potential this season. It’s difficult to gauge the Warriors’ interest in trading him now with Butler out, but he could offer a somewhat similar skillset as an oversized wing who can take on scoring and defensive responsibilities.

Then there is Jackson, who, after Paul’s comments on a trade sending Reaves back to Memphis for the big man arriving in La La Land, has been named one of the Lakers’ new trade targets.

“The noise has grown around the league that Jackson may not be looking forward to a rebuilding process with Ja Morant potentially on the way out,” Pincus wrote on the former Defensive Player of the Year. “At just 26, he is a young, talented defensive scorer averaging 18.5 points a game this season. At 36.1 percent from three-point range (37.5 percent last season), he is prolific enough of an outside threat to help space the floor.”

While Deandre Ayton hasn’t necessarily been as promised on the defensive end of the floor, Jackson would be a strong anchor for the Lakers. Doncic has proven to play well with versatile and athletic big men, as seen in his time in Dallas, and while injuries remain a concern, that might be a risk Rob Pelinka and the front office will have to live with. 

Lakers Issues This Season

Defense and scoring, while perhaps the biggest aspects in any basketball game, are the issues the Lakers have struggled with through their first 41 games of the year. Doncic continues to play like an MVP candidate, while James has put up strong numbers in his 23rd season, but with Austin Reaves out, Ayton having back-and-forth performances, the Lakers have been anything but consistent.

In a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets, they had only nine bench points, their lowest of the year, and likely a mark that won’t be beaten by any other team this season. 

So, while making a trade for one of the aforementioned players might take away from some of their already limited depth, it would at least give head coach JJ Redick a better chance at putting higher-level players around their current stars, which, in turn, would hopefully fix some of their issues. 

With James and Reaves set to become free agents this summer, as well as the inconsistencies seen from across the roster, it’s fair to say nobody but Doncic on this current Lakers team is safe from a trade. They’ve constantly had their eyes on a 3-and-D wing to pair with him, and while even adding a player like Jones, Kuminga, or even a big like Jackson doesn’t guarantee success, each would at least give Los Angeles a type of player they don’t have now.

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