Mark Stein’s current “read” on 3-i-D trade preferences
The The Los Angeles Lakers were up and down lately in the 2025-26 NBA season, recently picking up a narrow win over the Phoenix Suns thanks to stupid decision by Dillon Brooks late in the game. The Lakers are still 18-7 on the season, but some fans still see a major flaw in the team that will become a problem once the playoffs begin.
Obviously, the Lakers’ biggest need is a perimeter defender, as the team currently lacks a player on their roster who can reliably guard on one end of the floor while providing consistent offense on the other.
That being the case, NBA insider Marc Stein broke down recently what a player The Lakers could look on the trade market.
“…my read on the Lakers’ preferences is that they’d like to target players the same age as stars Luka Doncic (26) and Austin Reaves (27) as they continue to build the roster around them, rather than handing over top thirty-something trade assets,” Stein reported on his Substack.
Stein also noted that New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones probably isn’t in the Lakers’ price range.
Earlier Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints pointed to Sacramento Kings wing Keon Ellis as potential player The Lakers could target a trade, given their reported interest in Jones and the fact that such a trade is unlikely to happen.
Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints also noted that the Pelicans would be more open into a trade now that Zaon Williamson’s health has become an issue again.
Overall, the Lakers have been impressive so far this season, going 11 games over the .500 mark. However, if they really want to have a chance to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, they will need at least one player who can be great on both sides of the ball.
2025-12-15 16:42:00
