The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans have come to expect glitz and glam. Star-studded moves, blockbuster trades, you name it, and the franchise has walked down that path. By contrast, this year's NBA trade deadline could be about the smaller moves that make a large impact down the road.
This was something that Zach Lowe hinted at on a recent episode of his show. The host thought it was worth paying attention to the Lakers before the clock strikes 12 p.m. PT on Feb. 5 over on the West Coast.
Lowe thought the dichotomy of the Lakers either standing pat or going all-in for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is off the mark. There is a middle ground in between those two extremes that should be monitored closely as the season marches onward.
Lowe said, "There's some buzz about: Could they sort make a fringe(y) trade to try to upgrade their roster? As this new ownership comes in, I think they're trying to maximize this team. I don't think they have enough to get Giannis, but I'm just throwing that out there."
New Lakers ownership is ready to reinforce the roster in Los Angeles
The dream of going big-game hunting for Antetokounmpo is not one that anyone will be faulted for. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar is one of the five best players on the planet, and that much should hold steady for at least this immediate championship window with Luka Doncic.
Fine-tuning the roster outside of the big splash moves can still be very effective for the Lakers in patching up some of their obvious holes. So, what would qualify as the type of fringe move Lowe is discussing here?
Herbert Jones has been a name who has enjoyed his fair share of speculation linking him to the Lakers of late. However, Dan Woike did recently step in to break the hearts of those in Los Angeles.
While Jones has surfaced in connection to the Lakers, the beat writer for The Athletic did not believe this was a union that is meant to be. Woike cited a lack of assets to truly entice the New Orleans Pelicans to give up a good player on a team-friendly contract.
Keon Ellis is a name to really consider here that lines up with what Lowe thought the Lakers could do. The theme is obvious: Los Angeles needs help on the defensive end. Ellis offers that, plus the bonus of strong shooting.
Reinforcements appear to be on the way. Whether big or small, the Lakers should be more than happy to get them.