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Lakers’ Dalton Knecht and head coach JJ Redick during a game against the Clippers in February 2025
With the Los Angeles Lakers lacking the trade assets necessary to chase a marquee roster upgrade, the franchise may be forced to pivot from big-game hunting to something more modest — and more realistic.
Instead of pursuing a splashy 3-and-D wing, the Lakers could target incremental depth upgrades designed to stabilize a top-heavy roster built around Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and a 41-year-old LeBron James.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike recently proposed a trade framework that reflects that more pragmatic approach.
Dan Woike Proposes Multi-Team Depth Trade for Lakers
Woike outlined a three-team trade concept that would send several rotation-caliber players to Los Angeles:
Lakers receive: Saddiq Bey (Pelicans), Devin Carter (Kings), Keon Ellis (Kings)
Pelicans receive: Dalton Knecht (Lakers), Doug McDermott (Kings), Two future second-round picks
Kings receive: Maxi Kleber (Lakers), Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
The idea is not to land a star, but to improve the Lakers’ rotation depth and defensive flexibility without sacrificing multiple premium future assets.
“These are the kinds of players the Lakers could be realistically targeting, minus Carter, who would be a buy-low candidate with defensive upside,” Woike wrote. “Bey is on a good contract, and Ellis has several admirers around the league. Would you trust either of them to play big minutes as a primary defender in a playoff series?”
That question cuts to the heart of the Lakers’ dilemma.
Why the Lakers Are Stuck Between Stars and Role Players
The Lakers’ roster construction problem is not about identifying needs — it’s about paying for them.
Woike has repeatedly noted that rival teams want draft picks and young players in return, and the Lakers simply do not possess both in abundance.
“This trade is the biggest issue the Lakers face before the Feb. 5 deadline,” Woike wrote. “Potential trade partners want young players and picks in deals, and L.A.’s young players don’t have value. That leaves them with one first-round pick to dangle.”
That lone tradable pick — in 2031 or 2032— is the franchise’s most valuable currency.
“And if they’re going to trade that pick,” Woike added, “they cannot take back a collection of bench players who probably won’t get the team meaningfully closer to winning this year.”
In other words: yes, a deal like this could help. But not enough to justify spending their most valuable trade chip.
The Lakers can preserve their first-round pick and expand it to three in the offseason to chase a flashier name.
Saddiq Bey Brings Offense, Size and Contract Value
Bey, 26, would represent the offensive backbone of the return.
The Villanova product brings size at 6-foot-8, positional versatility, and a team-friendly contract that runs through next season at just $6.4 million.
He is averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists on a struggling Pelicans team, offering reliable scoring and floor spacing even if he is not an elite defender.
With Rui Hachimura approaching unrestricted free agency, Bey would also provide long-term insurance on the wing.
Keon Ellis Is the Defensive Wild Card
The real intrigue, however, centers on Ellis.
Ellis, 26, is buried in Sacramento’s rotation but quietly producing elite defensive metrics.
He is averaging just 17.6 minutes per game, yet posting 1.2 steals while ranking in the 97th percentile in deflections and 93rd percentile in forced turnovers, according to CraftedNBA.
He is also shooting 36 percent from three, making him a viable low-usage offensive option alongside ball-dominant stars.
In a playoff environment, Ellis profiles as a matchup defender who could give the Lakers situational answers they currently lack.
Devin Carter Represents Developmental Upside
Carter, the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft, would represent a developmental investment.
Still on a rookie-scale contract, he offers defensive upside and positional flexibility that could be molded into a future rotation guard.
He is not the centerpiece of the deal — but he is not dead weight either.
What This Means for the Lakers
The Lakers have explored larger names like Andrew Wiggins and Herb Jones, but the asking prices remain prohibitive, while former No. 7 pick Jonathan Kuminga is also not a straightforward deal.
Woike’s proposal reflects a different philosophy: upgrade the margins, preserve flexibility, and avoid mortgaging the future for a move that does not clearly elevate championship odds.
It is not a glamorous approach.
But it may be the only realistic one.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers must decide whether incremental improvement is worth the cost — or whether patience remains the better play.
Either way, the era of easy answers in Los Angeles is over.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
