Lakers Pursue Keon Ellis and Herb Jones Before Deadline

The Lakers plan to be active before the trade deadline and are prioritizing a 3 and D wing, per Marc Stein. Stein wrote Los Angeles "would naturally like to be in the 3 and D market," which he says is "headlined" by Keon Ellis, while Herb Jones is "presumed to be beyond the Lakers' current trade means." The club wants players around the ages of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to balance present contention with future control. Merlin sees a team at 17 and 7 that wants a tidy defensive piece more than a splashy star. Ellis has lost minutes this year after a larger role last season, while Jones brings steadier production at a higher cost. The market is thin, so the Lakers may chase a cheaper, younger option or trade creatively to land a fit who can guard and space the floor.