The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate to improve their roster ahead of the trade deadline. Austin Reaves getting ruled out for at least a month adds more incentive to acquire stronger talent. The loaded Western Conference means that consistent winning is needed to have a strong playoff seed and a realistic chance at contending for an NBA Championship.
NBA insider Brett Siegel of Clutch Points shared some insight into the Lakers’ realistic trade targets before the deadline:
“[Herb] Jones’ asking price remains very high, and he appears to be out of the Lakers’ price range in terms of assets. 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.”
Keon Ellis is the only name mentioned who Siegel believes the Lakers would be able to realistically acquire. The New Orleans Pelicans require the Lakers to give up too much for Herb Jones, especially as that team tries to compete for a play-in spot. Ellis is an easier target from the struggling Sacramento Kings.
Would Keon Ellis Help The Lakers?
Sacramento has fallen into a difficult situation of losing with many veterans on the roster. Names like DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook were supposed to work effectively together for a chance at the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the struggles have caused the team to have among the worst records and have few young players to invest in. Ellis averages just 16 minutes per game for the Kings as a younger and unproven role player. Sacramento signed Ellis as an undrafted free agent, but they’ve done little to progress his game.
Ellis shows enough of a skill set to provide what the Lakers want from him. Defending guards and hitting outside shots are the main things the Lakers hope to get from any role player they can acquire. Ellis stands out more due to providing stronger youth than the Lakers have on their relatively older roster.
What Could Lakers Trade For Ellis?
Previous reports saw Sacramento wanting a first-round pick for Ellis, but no one is likely to give that up for a role player the Kings barely play. Ellis must get more playing time and prove more if Sacramento expects to hold that demand for future trades.
The Lakers will likely be able to get Ellis for a cheap price compared to other role players on the market. Ellis makes just $2 million per year to have any cheap players able to match his contract. The Kings could get prospect Dalton Knecht if the Lakers give up on him, but that’s the best scenario of adding a young talent.
Los Angeles could also send another role player of their choice and a second-round pick as the most realistic option. Regardless of the trade package, the Lakers will still need to be carried by their stars, as Ellis would join solely to provide depth as another role player.
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