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NBA storylines to follow
Biggest NBA stories to follow in the second half of the season.
The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference.
With a lot of basketball left to play, any moves the Lakers make at the deadline may determine just how far the team can go this season.
While Luka Dončić and LeBron James are likely safe bets to remain with the Lakers, the fate of several other players remains questionable for the second half of the season.
The team is looking to build around Doncic and what happens before the trade deadline could back up that action. Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura might all be viewed as potential trade assets for Los Angeles.
Will Rui Hachimura be traded?
The Lakers could move Hachimura and have already “shown a willingness to include” him in a trade, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Hachimura was averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc. The seven-year NBA veteran is in the final year of his $18.2 million contract, which might make him an appealing player for title-contending teams.
Hachimura has proven to be a solid 3-pointer shooter (38.9%) and has been a consistent scorer throughout his career.
Will Dalton Knecht be traded again?
It’s been a fairly quiet season for Knecht, a second-year player drafted out of Michigan.
He averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists after playing in 78 games (16 starts) as a rookie last season, but that didn’t come without its hiccups.
Knecht was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams in a secondary move following the Lakers’ shocking trade for Doncic.
The trade was later rescinded after Williams did not pass his physical with Los Angeles. Knecht returned to the Lakers but was left in an awkward spot ever since.
Knecht’s production has been stymied, averaging just 4.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 38 games played. He’s averaged 12.2 minutes per game this season, but only averaged 4.4 minutes during the final five games of January.
Who are Lakers looking to acquire?
The Lakers were considered a landing spot for forward De’Andre Hunter before the deadline.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were working on a trade that would’ve sent Hunter to Los Angeles in exchange for Hachimura and Knecht, with a third team also being involved.
A three-team trade did happen Saturday, Jan. 31, that sent Hunter out of Cleveland, but it was not with the Lakers.
Hunter was traded to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls.
Guard Keon Ellis was also considered a potential trade target for the Lakers, but he may no longer be an option after he was included in the three-team trade and sent to the Cavs.