Los Angeles Lakers February Deadline Guide: Trade Candidates, Realistic Targets, Untouchable Players
The Los Angeles Lakers (16-15) are currently 9th in the Western Conference, and based on what we have seen so far, LeBron James and Anthony Davis need more help if they want to become a true contender. The King is averaging 25.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, while Davis is chipping in 24.9 points and 12.4 rebounds per game so far, but it has not been enough for a team ranked 17th in offense and 17th in defense.
We have already seen the breakdown of how the Lakers could have organized their depth chart around a month ago, but as we approach the New Year, things have slightly changed. In this February Trade Deadline guide, we will present trade candidates, realistic targets, and untouchable players for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trade Candidates
D’Angelo Russell ($17,307,693), Rui Hachimura ($15,740,741), Austin Reaves ($12,015,150), Gabe Vincent ($10,500,000), Taurean Prince ($4,516,000), Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3,695,076), Christian Wood ($2,709,849), Jaxson Hayes ($2,165,000), Cam Reddish ($2,165,000), Max Christie ($1,719,864)
The Lakers have a host of trade candidates to use in any potential deal to bring in another All-Star. The obvious one is 27-year-old point guard D’Angelo Russell who is averaging 15.1 points and 6.1 assists per game this season. Russell is a capable offensive player but he is not cutting at as a star player and considering his age, teams will be interested in his services to shore up their backcourt.
Rui Hachimura is a 25-year-old forward who is not only a confident mid-range scorer but has the build (6’8”, 230 lbs) to be a solid player on both ends of the court. Posting 12.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 48.6% shooting, Hachimura has been solid but rather unspectacular for the Lakers who need a little more in their lineup. The same goes for Austin Reaves, the player Lakers Nation expected to become a star this season.
Reaves signed a $50 million extension this offseason and while he has found ways to be more productive coming off the bench as a sixth man, his numbers don’t exactly scream “untouchable status”. Averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game at 25 years old, Reaves would be an interesting prospect for teams looking to rebuild as the Lakers try to win this season.
Gabe Vincent has been a disappointment this season but it seems injuries have cost him, as he will require surgery that will keep him out at least 6-8 weeks. The point guard for the Miami Heat last year has only made five appearances and averaged 5.4 points per game. At 27 years old, Vincent might still have some trade value, however, because he was the starting point guard for an NBA Finals last season.
Taurean Prince has been inserted into the starting lineup and while he is a versatile swingman who fits the modern NBA, averaging 10.2 points per game on 39.4% 3-PT FG, the Lakers would be willing to move him if it means getting a significant upgrade in their starting lineup around James and Davis. The same goes for bench players Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, and Max Christie.
Hood-Schifino was taken No. 17 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and hasn’t exactly forced his way into the lineup, appearing in five games so far. Christian Wood is doing a job off the bench with 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but the Lakers will move him as his salary isn’t eating too much cap space. The same goes for 23-year-old Jaxson Hayes who is a 7-footer that has appeared in 28 games and averaged 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Cam Reddish is a player the Lakers would like to keep as he is only 24 years old and a former No. 10 overall pick, but 7.0 points per game is a loss the Lakers might be willing to take and 20-year-old Max Christie would be an interesting prospect for any team looking to rebuild their squad.
Realistic Targets
Zach LaVine ($40,064,220), DeMar DeRozan ($28,600,000), Dejounte Murray ($18,214,000), Jerami Grant ($27,586,207), Bojan Bogdanovic ($20,000,000), Alex Caruso ($9,460,000)
Zach LaVine is a perfect trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers. Armed with speed, athleticism, and agility, the shooting guard can be the final piece toward creating a Big Three in Los Angeles. Averaging 21.0 points per game on 33.6% shooting from three this season, LaVine can easily get back to his career efficiency (38.2%) once he is on a better team with other star players. Whether spotting up from three or handling isolation situations, Zach LaVine is a tremendous option for the Lakers.
Potential Trade Package for Zach LaVine: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, 2029 First-Round Pick
For an alternative trade going for experience and scoring confidence which seems to be what the Lakers prefer, DeMar DeRozan should be available by the 14-18 Chicago Bulls. DeRozan is a six-time All-Star who is averaging 22.4 points per game this season on 45.6% from the field so he would fit into the Lakers’ roster as an isolation scorer and go-to option in the clutch. Oftentimes, James and Davis are swamped with defenders in the final moments of a game, and giving the ball to DeRozan is a far better option than passing to a role player. At 34 years old, DeRozan has at least two or three years left in the tank as well.
Potential Trade Package for DeMar DeRozan: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, 2029 First-Round Pick
The Lakers have been linked to Dejounte Murray for the past few weeks now and it makes sense considering the talented combo guard is an All-Star-caliber player on both ends of the court. He is averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 37.4% from three with the Atlanta Hawks but he seems to be the odd man out right now with Trae Young dominating the ball like he does. Murray would not only elevate the Lakers’ 17th-ranked defense but would handle playmaking duties to relieve LeBron James. D’Angelo Russell is an excellent passer, but Murray is a more controlled guard who probably won’t take many bad shots. At 27 years old, he would also be a terrific investment for a Lakers side that needs to look at the post-LeBron era.
Potential Trade Package for Dejounte Murray: Austin Reaves, Max Christie, 2029 First-Round Pick
The Portland Trail Blazers are not a great team, holding an 8-21 record and going through an uncomfortable rebuild following the departure of Damian Lillard. As the team looks to rebuild around Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant could be the odd man out. A 6’7” forward, Grant can defend four positions and also shoot the three at a high level (41.3% this season) meaning he would be a perfect option alongside James and Davis. At nearly 30 years old, Grant is also a long-term investment and could be an excellent mentor to Jarred Vanderbilt.
Potential Trade Package for Jerami Grant: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick
Do not discount what Bojan Bogdanovic can bring to the Lakers this season. The 34-year-old might be getting older, but he is a fantastic option to nail outside shots, defend, and also score inside. The 6’7” forward is averaging 19.9 points per game on 39.0% shooting from three this season, and brings a mix of defensive consistency and sharpshooting that the Purple and Gold need. If big names such as LaVine, DeRozan, Murray, and Grant are not available, there are far worse options than the current Detroit Pistons forward who is looking for a way out of a dying situation.
Potential Trade Package for Bojan Bogdanovic: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Of course, Lakers Nation would welcome back Alex Caruso. The defensive-minded guard during the 2019-20 championship season, Caruso is still doing what he does best in terms of playing elite defense and nailing threes. After making an All-NBA Defensive Team last year, Caruso is averaging 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 44.9% shooting from three. Caruso would be an upgrade to the Lakers starting lineup regardless of who ends up leaving because his style of play is completely conducive to winning games. In case a Caruso add-on with a Zach LaVine trade isn’t possible, the Lakers can straight-up trade for him.
Potential Trade Package for Alex Caruso: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, 2024 Second-Round Pick
Untouchable Players
LeBron James ($47,607,350), Anthony Davis ($40,600,080), Jarred Vanderbilt ($4,698,000)
The Lakers have an extremely short list of untouchable players, headlined by the great LeBron James of course. Despite turning 39 years old before New Year, James has been arguably a top-10 player in the world this season as he posts 25.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game on 41.3% shooting from three. The King has looked like he is 10 years younger at times and is still the best leader in the NBA. Los Angeles will never be able to have a star of James’ caliber again so they need to find a way to maximize his presence and surround him with the star talent needed to boost the team in the West.
Despite the criticism Anthony Davis received last year, there isn’t much that can be said this season. The big man is posting 24.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game in what looks to be an impending ninth All-Star selection. The big man leads the NBA in rebounds, is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, and can dominate any matchup if he puts his mind to it. At 30 years old, Davis also has a few years left of his prime and the Lakers cannot afford to trade him at any cost.
Jarred Vanderbilt is a 24-year-old forward and swingman who is exactly what Lakers Nation needs to win a title. A player with the mold of Trevor Ariza or Ron Artest, Vanderbilt is a stout defender who can handle any task thrown at him. Although he has only made 10 appearances this season due to injury, Vanderbilt is a player that the Lakers can trust to come good and be a key performer in the starting lineup if and when a new All-Star player is acquired.
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