The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to improve their roster in the 2024-25 NBA season. They’ve been rumored to be shoppers ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. The Lakers started making moves this season after trading point guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets. Los Angeles solidified their defense when they received forward Dorian Finney-Smith.
This season, the Lakers are worried about their lack of a frontcourt presence that would enable All-Star Anthony Davis to play power forward, which was his original position. While they’ve been linked to Washington Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas, there hasn’t been any movement regarding a potential trade.
One player has emerged as a potential trade target for the Lakers who could strengthen the frontcourt. The Los Angeles franchise, along with five other teams seeking to bolster their squad, is pursuing Charlotte Hornets big man Nick Richards.
NBA Insider Evan Sidery revealed that the Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns are interested in the Hornets center.
“The Bucks, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets, and Suns are among the teams recently expressing trade interest in Nick Richards,” the insider posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The Hornets are open to moving some of their veterans for future draft capital.”
The Bucks, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets, and Suns are among the teams recently expressing trade interest in Nick Richards.
Richards is averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
The Hornets are open to moving some of their veterans for future draft capital. pic.twitter.com/DxwlurR8FL
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 9, 2025
Because he doesn’t have high financial demands, Richards is the perfect player for the Lakers. He is in the second year of a three-year contract worth $15 million. Despite his respectable on-court performance this season, the Hornets owe him $5 million.
Lakers could trade Rui Hachimura for an All-Star
On Tuesday, NBA Insider Eric Pincus revealed the Lakers aren’t interested in involving Rui Hachimura in a trade. However, Pincus clarified his report and said the team would be willing to part ways with the starting forward if an All-Star is offered to them.
“Regarding aggregation, my words are usually taken out of context. For instance, if the Lakers were offered an All-Star for, say, Rui Hachimura, they’d likely consider it. But would they throw him in a deal for a lesser role player just to match salary? Nah.”
Regarding aggregation, my words are usually taken out of context. For instance, if the Lakers were offered an All-Star for, say, Rui Hachimura, they'd likely consider it. But would they throw him in a deal for a lesser role player just cause to match salary? Nah
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 7, 2025
Hachimura has performed well for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. This season, he’s played 31 games, averaging 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 41.4% shooting from downtown. With his production, Los Angeles has shown how important he is by not easily putting him in the trade block.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
