The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 NBA season and at this point in the year hold a 19-10 record.
At times, the Lakers have looked the part of a potential NBA Finals contender. In other moments, they look like a team who could end up missing the playoffs if things don’t turn around.
Led by Luke Doncic and LeBron James, Los Angeles has the talent to be a contender. However, there seems to be a disconnect within the team from time to time. That needs to get fixed.
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With just a couple of months remaining before the NBA trade deadline, the Lakers have been very actively involved in the rumor mill. That seems to be the case every year, but Los Angeles does need to look into making some moves this time around.
That being said, a new update has been provided about the Lakers’ potential trade plans leading up to the deadline.
According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Los Angeles is still being priced out of a potential trade for New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones. However, the Lakers do have interest in Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis.
“[Herb] Jones’ asking price remains very high, and he appears to be out of the Lakers’ price range in terms of assets,” Siegel wrote. “The market for athletic, defensive-minded players is extremely slim this year, leaving the Lakers with little to no options to immediately improve their title outlook this year. Sacramento Kings guard/wing Keon Ellis is the only other name that comes to mind, and league personnel have linked the Lakers to him in recent weeks.”
Ellis would be an interesting trade target for Los Angeles. He is a solid defender, although his offensive game is far from polished.
So far this season in 29 games for the Kings and three starts, Ellis has averaged 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 assists per game. He has shot 39.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from the three-point line.
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Those numbers will not excite Lakers fans. Unfortunately, even though he could add depth for Los Angeles, he wouldn’t move the needle when it comes to potential championship contention.
Only time will tell what the Lakers can do ahead of the deadline, but Ellis and Jones remain names to keep an eye on.
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