Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are clearly the Lakers’ stars of the future. But they come with their share of weaknesses. In order to be a championship team, you need to surround them with players who can mask their weaknesses while complementing their strengths. The front office is well aware of this and will attempt to address this as soon as the trade deadline.
According to Marc Stein, the Lakers want to trade for 3-and-D players that are around the same age as Doncic and Reaves.
“League sources say that the Lakers would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market this Trade Season, but it’s a very limited market at this juncture.”
But part of that limitation is the fact that these players need to fit within the timelines of their two building blocks.
“My read on the Lakers’ preferences is that they would like to target players in the same age range as stars Luka Doncic (26) and Austin Reaves (27) as they continue building out the roster.”
With those criteria in place, there are only a handful of realistic options that the Lakers could target in a trade.
Herb Jones (27)
Jones is the cleanest defensive solution imaginable next to the Lakers’ offensive core. He takes on the hardest perimeter assignment, switches across positions, and disrupts actions before they ever get comfortable. That kind of defensive gravity allows Luka and Reaves to conserve energy and stay locked in offensively. He made an All-Defensive team for a reason.
On offense, Jones wouldn’t be asked to do much beyond spacing, cutting, and running the floor — roles that become highly efficient when Luka is making the reads. But elite defenders in their prime are rarely moved unless a team is forced into it. It’s definitely a possibility with how New Orleans’ season is going. But I doubt the Pelicans are eager to do another trade with the Lakers.
De’Andre Hunter (28)
Hunter is the kind of big, physical wing the Lakers have desperately needed in recent postseasons. He’s technically a former Laker, when Los Angeles selected Hunter on draft night before flipping the pick in the Anthony Davis deal.
But his skillset still matches their needs. He’s bulkier than most wings, allowing him to guard bigger players, and that defensive versatility is central to JJ Redick’s system. Offensively, he plays with calm and restraint, never demanding touches. Next to Luka and Reaves, his value would show up in matchup flexibility and lineup stability — the kind of player who simplifies playoff rotations.
Keon Ellis (25)
Ellis is the kind of defender whose impact isn’t captured by the box score but is obvious when you watch the game. His point-of-attack pressure pushes ball-handlers out of their comfort zones, forcing early decisions and disrupting offensive flow. For a Lakers team that has struggled to contain quick guards, that trait is especially valuable.
Offensively, Ellis fits neatly next to stars. He spaces the floor, takes open shots without hesitation, and keeps the ball moving. If his shooting continues to hold, he would easily be an important part of the Lakers’ playoff rotation.
Quentin Grimes (25)
Grimes may be the smoothest schematic fit simply because he’s already played next to Luka in Dallas. He understands the rhythm of a Luka-led offense — where the shots come from, when to relocate, and when to stay out of the way.
Defensively, he provides solid point-of-attack resistance, and offensively, he’s a confident catch-and-shoot option who won’t hijack possessions. With consistent minutes, Grimes’ skill set scales naturally alongside high-usage stars.
The Bottom Line
The Lakers have a clear direction in centering their team around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They have a clear identity they are trying to build, and they are taking their first steps toward it by being aggressive this trade season.
