The Los Angeles Lakers played their final game before the February 8 NBA trade deadline, picking up a valuable win over the Charlotte Hornets. Now, the Lakers will wait for the NBA trade deadline to pass and face the Denver Nuggets later that night. Fans are praying for trades in the next 48 hours so that the Lakers have the talent to make a playoff push over the second half of the season.
Their 27-25 record puts them in the ninth seed in the West, a game and a half behind the No. 8 seed Dallas Mavericks. They’re just three games behind the sixth-seeded Phoenix Suns, showing that a guaranteed playoff spot is still achievable for LA. But a trade to improve the roster is imperative for the Lakers if they want to repeat their achievements from last season.
Keeping that in mind, here are three last-minute trades that could reshape the Lakers before the trade deadline.
Jordan Clarkson is one of the most established scorers in the NBA right now, proving his prowess is effective for winning teams in the past and the present. Clarkson stayed for the Jazz rebuild and has become an important piece on the roster right now, as the Jazz look to book a spot in the Play-In Tournament. He’s averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season, remaining a fan favorite in Utah.
Clarkson is a winning player that could contribute in a major way to a contending roster in the NBA. The Lakers need his microwave scoring ability to spruce up their lineup, being an option to either start ahead of Austin Reaves or be the bonafide sixth man for the Lakers. The team has spells of poor offense and Clarkson’s unique offensive ability will give them a much-needed boost.
The Lakers could try and entice Utah by giving them players who aren’t valuable while hoping draft assets can tip the scales. But the Lakers are limited on future assets, so acquiring Clarkson by giving up a player that Darvin Ham has struggled to figure out a use for all season makes sense. Rui Hachimura is averaging 11.3 points and 3.7 rebounds this season. He could contribute to the upward trajectory in Utah as a multi-positional forward.
Dejounte Murray has been the name every Lakers fan has clamored behind since November when Murray was first made available for trade. Unfortunately, the Lakers and Hawks haven’t been able to strike a deal just yet. Some recent trade intel suggests that the Hawks won’t be interested in this deal unless they get a player of use to them, with D’Angelo Russell not fitting into their plans. The Brooklyn Nets reportedly want Russell, so a three-team trade to acquire Murray for Russell would be ideal.
The Lakers send the same package they’ve been reportedly offered, with D’Lo, rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino, and their valuable 2029 draft pick. Instead of D’lo going to Atlanta, the Lakers can send him to Brooklyn in the hopes that the Nets move Dorian Finney-Smith to Atlanta. DFS has had a ridiculously high asking price this season, but this deal would get the Nets a valuable piece and allow them to get a strong piece back before DFS’ inevitable decline next season at age 31.
Murray is averaging 21.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. His presence could revamp the Lakers’ guard play and hopefully bring them a POA defensive option for other guards. Finney-Smith is a complementary forward for Trae Young who will defend as hard as possible while being a corner three-point specialist. D’Lo is averaging 17.3 points and 6.2 assists this season but a recent improvement in form has people wondering if he can finally live up to his potential in a new (old) situation in Brooklyn.
Jazz Receive: Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Lakers Receive: Jordan Clarkson
A name that hasn’t been linked with the Lakers much but would be the perfect addition to their roster is PJ Washington. The Hornets forward hasn’t had the impressive start to his NBA career many expected, but he’s showing consistent flashes of being one of the strongest role-playing 3-and-D forwards in the NBA. Washington can shoot from three and the mid-range while using his 7’8″ wingspan to be a defensive menace. He hasn’t been an ace defender in Charlotte, but a winning situation will bring that effort out of him.
Washington is averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. Figuring out the trade price for him will be challenging, with teams like the Dallas Mavericks trying to pursue Washington with young players as the primary attraction. The Lakers only have one young player to offer in Jalen Hood-Schifino, along with a veteran contract like Gabe Vincent. Vincent could be a mentor while JHS’ potential as a combo guard can be unleashed with an opportunity in Charlotte behind LaMelo Ball.
The Lakers would be fierce if they had a high-energy forward like Washington on their wing. He would disrupt teams defensively while playing a role in the Lakers’ offense. It might not move the needle to make the Lakers favorites, but it adds another player with a skill set Darvin Ham values, which could help in the team’s rotations down the stretch.
