The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make a trade to add defense, the aspect of the game they have struggled with the most this season. However, according to new trade rumors, they could be eyeing a shot-blocking big man to help address what has been a major issue for JJ Redick’s team.
Yes, the Lakers have been linked to 3-and-D wings for much of this trade season, but so many of them are either not available or hold a much higher asking price than the team is likely willing to offer.
Additionally, Deandre Ayton has been anything but consistent so far this season, so, with that in mind, the Lakers were recently urged to target a former Defensive Player of the Year candidate in the trade market.
Writing for Sports Illustrated, Duke Demming proposed the trade idea of the Lakers sending Rui Hachimura to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Robert Williams.
Lakers Add Robert Williams In Trade Idea
If they can’t get perimeter defense before the deadline, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka should target rim protection, because, at this point in the season, Ayton isn’t holding down the painted area as much as they’d originally hoped.
Here’s the trade idea for a defensive upgrade at the center position:
Los Angeles Lakers receive: C Robert Williams III and a 2026 second-round pick
Portland Trail Blazers receive: PF Rui Hachimura
Simply put, the Trail Blazers could get rid of Williams because they have Donovan Clingan, and bring in a decent wing player in Hachimura as a veteran presence to pair alongside their young core.
For the Lakers, while Williams’ averages are down from Ayton’s, he brings a much higher defensive potential to the floor. He wouldn’t be asked to do a lot on offense, but could anchor their 25th-ranked defense.
“If the front office looks to upgrade at the deadline, adding a proven center could be a major boost,” Demming wrote on the Lakers mock trade for Williams. “Portland could look to capitalize on Williams’ value at the trade deadline by moving him for a player who fits a bigger need at another position.”
Though not the blockbuster deal Lakers’ fans might be hoping for, this gives them a chance to fix what has been their biggest issue this season. Additionally, in an article by Dan Favale on Bleacher Report a few weeks ago, Williams was named as a potential target for Los Angeles, considering what he can add to their struggling rim protection and overall ability to stop opponents on a nightly basis.
Lakers Trade Rumors, Other Top Targets
Williams could be one of the best targets for the Lakers ahead of the deadline, at least in terms of available big men, especially considering his relatively cheap contract. Yet still, trade rumors have persisted that the team is interested in adding a wing player.
Recently, team insider Dave McMenamin offered up who he believes the Lakers’ top wing targets will be with less than two weeks before the trade deadline.
“[The Lakers] need help on the perimeter,” he said on SportsCenter, per an ESPN article. “A guy like Jonathan Kuminga, maybe he could be someone the Lakers could pursue. Maybe you could look at Andrew Wiggins down in Miami. Someone like Keon Ellis in Sacramento, De’Andre Hunter, Peyton Watson, the list goes on and on.”
Los Angeles has been linked to Kuminga recently, but as his saga with the Golden State Warriors continues, it is uncertain what they will do with the 23-year-old before the deadline, and sending him to an in-state rival would require a major package of Hachimura and a few other assets.
Similarly, Wiggins would carry a pretty high price tag. He fits what the team needs, but at this point, working around the margins seems like the most likely scenario. Additionally, with how well Watson has played for the Denver Nuggets, trading him with their constant injuries also seems like a long shot.
Ellis has been a rumored target for the Lakers for some time now. However, the Warriors and New York Knicks have also entered the mix, so there could be a bidding war for the fourth-year wing who many teams believe could be a strong contributor down the road.
Someone like Hunter, or anyone else of his caliber, is likely the best shot for the Lakers to target. They need to find someone with relatively low value who can come in alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves to offer size on defense and the ability to hit corner threes when asked.
For now, the Lakers remain buyers at the deadline, but as the days go on, the impactful moves they can make appear more and more fleeting.
Lakers Trade Idea Adds All-Defensive Cetner As Ayton Replacement