The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2023-24 NBA season with championship aspirations, fueled by the superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but early inconsistencies have exposed glaring gaps in their supporting cast—particularly in perimeter shooting, defensive versatility, and backcourt stability. 

While the roster boasts undeniable star power, the lack of reliable floor-spacing, injury concerns, and erratic play from key role players have left fans and analysts alike clamoring for reinforcements.

With LeBron’s legendary career winding down and Davis’s prime at its peak, the front office faces mounting pressure to maximize this window of contention. The challenge? Navigating a complex salary cap landscape, limited draft assets, and a trade market teeming with teams eyeing their own playoff pushes or rebuilding phases.

As the February deadline looms, the Lakers’ brain trust must identify under-the-radar targets who can provide immediate impact without sacrificing long-term flexibility—a delicate balancing act that could define their season.

One potential move that’s flown under the radar involves prying veteran guard Alec Burks from the rebuilding Detroit Pistons, a team increasingly focused on developing its young core after a dismal start.

Burks, a career 38.3% three-point shooter with a knack for hitting clutch shots, would instantly bolster the Lakers’ spacing and provide a steadying presence off the bench.

His ability to play both guard spots and defend multiple positions would alleviate pressure on Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, while his expiring $10.5 million contract aligns with the Lakers’ desire to avoid long-term salary commitments.

In return, Detroit might covet a package centered around rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who’s shown flashes of promise but remains buried on the depth chart, plus a future second-round pick.

For the Pistons, this move would net a high-upside prospect and a draft asset for a 32-year-old veteran who doesn’t fit their timeline—a low-risk gamble that could accelerate their rebuild while giving Burks a shot at contention.

Another stealth target could be Nicolas Batum, the seasoned forward currently with the LA Clippers, whose blend of floor-spacing, defensive intelligence, and playoff experience might be attainable if the cross-town rivals look to shake up their roster amid injury woes or luxury tax concerns.

Batum, 35, is shooting a career-best 45.1% from deep this season and can guard wings and forwards, making him an ideal fit for a Lakers team that’s struggled to contain elite perimeter scorers.

His $11.7 million expiring salary would require the Lakers to part with a combination of contracts, such as Rui Hachimura ($15.7 million) and Gabe Vincent ($10.5 million), but Hachimura’s inconsistency and Vincent’s season-long knee injury might make him expendable.

The Clippers, meanwhile, could view Hachimura as a younger, high-upside replacement for Batum while freeing up long-term cap space by swapping Vincent’s deal for Hachimura’s shorter contract (Hachimura is under team control through 2026). For the Lakers, Batum’s veteran savvy and two-way prowess could be the missing piece in tight postseason battles.

Reggie Bullock, the 3-and-D specialist now with the Houston Rockets, represents a familiar face who could address the Lakers’ wing deficiencies without breaking the bank, especially if Houston prioritizes playing time for younger talent like Cam Whitmore.

Bullock, who spent the 2018-19 season with the Lakers, is a career 38.4% three-point shooter known for his relentless off-ball movement and ability to lock down opponents in switches.

His $10.5 million expiring contract would fit neatly into the Lakers’ trade machine, likely costing them a package like Taurean Prince ($4.5 million), Jalen Hood-Schifino, and a future second-round pick.

The Rockets, meanwhile, could benefit from Prince’s veteran leadership and defensive versatility in a crowded frontcourt, while adding a developmental guard in Hood-Schifino to their backcourt pipeline. For Los Angeles, reuniting with Bullock would not only shore up their rotation but also reunite a fan favorite with a proven track record of thriving alongside stars.

Delon Wright, the Washington Wizards’ defensive-minded guard, could provide the Lakers with a stabilizing force at point guard, where injuries and inconsistency have plagued the team all season.

Wright, 31, is averaging nearly two steals per game this year and boasts a reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, with the size (6’5″) to guard multiple positions.

His playmaking (3.9 assists per game) and low-usage efficiency (40.5% from three) would complement LeBron and Davis by taking pressure off them to initiate offense, while his $8.2 million expiring salary keeps the Lakers’ books clean.

To acquire him, Los Angeles might offer a package including D’Angelo Russell ($17.3 million), whose streaky shooting and defensive lapses have drawn criticism, plus a future second-round pick.

For Washington, which is embracing a full rebuild, Russell’s expiring deal could be flipped again or bought out, while the pick adds to their asset collection—making this a low-risk, high-reward move for both sides.

Lastly, Jae Crowder of the Milwaukee Bucks could bring the toughness, defensive grit, and floor-spacing the Lakers desperately need, particularly if Milwaukee looks to retool its roster for a championship push under new coach Doc Rivers.

Crowder, 33, is a career 34.8% three-point shooter who thrives in physical, playoff-style matchups, and his ability to guard four positions would allow the Lakers to switch seamlessly on defense.

His $3.2 million salary would require Los Angeles to part with a minimum-salary player and a second-round pick, but the real hurdle is Milwaukee’s potential reluctance to move a veteran leader.

However, if the Bucks seek more offensive firepower or frontcourt depth, a package like Cam Reddish ($2.2 million) and a pick might entice them, especially with Crowder’s role having diminished this season.

For the Lakers, adding Crowder would not only amplify their edge but also provide a battle-tested voice in the locker room—a critical intangible for a team with title ambitions.

While these five trades represent under-the-radar opportunities, the Lakers’ front office must weigh each move against the franchise’s long-term vision, ensuring that any deal doesn’t mortgage the future for a fleeting shot at contention.

LeBron James’s unprecedented longevity and Anthony Davis’s dominance demand urgency, but with limited draft capital and financial flexibility, general manager Rob Pelinka must prioritize targets who offer both immediate impact and contractual flexibility.

The road ahead won’t be easy—trade negotiations are fraught with competing agendas, and the market’s fluidity can shift overnight—but for a franchise that’s tasted championship glory as recently as 2020, the margin for error is slim.

As the deadline approaches, Lakers fans can only hope that a well-timed, savvy move will transform their roster from a collection of question marks into a cohesive force capable of dethroning the West’s elite.