Lakers Trade Targets: Suns Owner's Honest Admission on $86M Defensive Menace Eliminates Potential Deadline Option 

The LA Lakers are 12-4 this season despite league-average offensive, defensive and net ratings. The offense will likely improve due to positive regression, as most players are shooting below expected efficiency from 3, but the defense remains murky.

While LA added Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, it can't have the duo on the floor at all times to ensure the team remains flawless on that end. The Lakers still seemingly need a legitimate 3-and-D threat. Andrew Wiggins has reportedly been one of the most coveted targets.

However, Rui Hachimura's explosive career season, averaging 15.0 points on 56.2% shooting, including 48.3% from deep on 3.9 attempts, has likely put the front office in a pickle regarding a Wiggins trade.

Hachimura has to be a centerpiece in a framework for the aging Heat starter. It works out from a salary-matching and negotiation standpoint as the Heat are interested in Hachimura.

But LA might consider Hachimura a long-term fit alongside franchise star Luka Doncic, especially after the season he's having. Hachimura, 27, is younger than Wiggins, who turns 31 in February. That potentially could direct the Lakers to other players on the market, where they may not have to include him.

One of the most intriguing yet apt fits could have been Suns forward Dillon Brooks, who arrived in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets. He is enjoying a career season as a second option in Phoenix, averaging 22.0 points and 1.9 steals, shooting 45.1%, including 33.3% from 3 on 8.0 attempts. He's doing that while showing he's still an All-Defensive team caliber player.

The Lakers could have packaged Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber's expiring contracts with a first-round pick in a direct trade to match Brooks' $21.1 million salary this year and offer Phoenix cap flexibility.

His contract structure beyond this season is also appealing as it only has one year left on his $86.0 million deal (per Spotrac). LA would have had the cap space it wanted in 2027 and the chance to extend Brooks.

Lakers fans have also pushed for the team to acquire him amid their defensive woes.

Dishing The Rock

@dishingtherock

@iDude14 In a heartbeat. Dillon Brooks gets a lot of hate but he's the type of guy you want on your team (and hate him if he's not lol)

LeBron__legacy 👑 🐐

@LeBron__legacy

The missing piece

LAkersWORLD.💜💛💜💛

@LALFANNERD

@LeBron__legacy Smart vando brooks 3 lock down defenders. Mean while you got lebron the goat luka generational talent mvp and Austin who is amazing yeah its over for the league not to mention rui jake nick smith💛💜💛✌️

⟡ 𝙸𝚜𝚘 ⟡

@LockedByBron

@LeBron__legacy Would be a real good piece for us

UrShmeat

@urShmeat

@LeBron__legacy Yall dont like the man sometimes but he would be PERFECT on this lakers team with smart and vando as a defensive unit

Zuu

@Zuu_o0xx

@LeBron__legacy him n marcus gon be annoying for the opponent

However, Brooks has been key to the Suns' boasting an 11-7 record. Similar to his stint with the Grizzlies and Rockets, he is on track to give the team an identity it hasn't had since the 2021-22 season.

Many expected the Suns to be much worse and eventually sell at the trade deadline, with Brooks as a likely trade candidate. But after the Suns' winning start and cultural shift, owner Mat Ishbia has become one of Brooks' biggest admirers, potentially silencing trade buzz surrounding the veteran forward.

Here's what Ishbia said on Draymond Green's podcast on Monday:

"Everyone understands we’re trying to compete every day. You [Draymond] are a floor raiser, a winner, a champion. How do I get people like that who care?

"Dillon [Brooks] is definitely someone that cares. He might agitate the other 29 teams, but for us, he’s exactly what we’re about. He’s a tough, hard-nosed guy who wants to compete every game and he’s going to do whatever he can to help us win.

"Playing hard and caring about winning are skills, and you need to make sure your guys have those skills. I’m lucky to have guys like that and a great young head coach that’s bringing them all together.”

Booker Muse

@DevinBookerMuse

Mat Ishbia on elevating the Suns’ culture:​“Everyone understands we’re trying to compete every day. You [Draymond] are a floor raiser, a winner, a champion. How do I get people like that who care? ​Dillon [Brooks] is definitely someone that cares. He might agitate the other 29 teams, but for us, he’s exactly what we’re about. He’s a tough, hard-nosed guy who wants to compete every game and he’s going to do whatever he can to help us win.​Playing hard and caring about winning are skills, and you need to make sure your guys have those skills. I’m lucky to have guys like that and a great young head coach that’s bringing them all together.”​(via @DraymondShow)

The LA Lakers would have benefited from Dillon Brooks' intangibles, but will likely have to look elsewhere, given Mat Ishbia's public endorsement of the defensive menace.

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Herb Jones is the next best trade option for LA Lakers as Dillon Brooks potentially gets eliminated

The Lakers have time left to assess their roster until the February trade deadline. A lot will depend on the team's results. It seems like the Lakers could have a puncher's chance to make the conference finals as presently constructed.

However, to have a better chance of getting there by beating either the Thunder, Rockets, or Nuggets, LA must improve its defensive depth. One of the most intriguing assets could be the Pelicans' Herb Jones if the Lakers are forced to pivot from Andrew Wiggins and Dillon Brooks.

Jones, a 2024 All-Defensive First Team member, is averaging 9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.3 apg, making $14.0 million this year. He's under contract through 2030. The Pelicans are 3-15 and likely out of the playoff race.

New Orleans doesn't own a first-round pick in 2026 after shipping it to Atlanta for Derik Queen on draft night. LA can't offer that pick to the Pelicans for now, but can give them a 2031 or 2032 selection, along with expiring contracts.

The Pelicans can get some money off their books starting next offseason. LA also has a pick in 2026. While it can't trade it now due to the "Stepien Rule," which prohibits a team from trading first-round picks in consecutive years, it can be moved on draft night.

Interestingly, New Orleans used the Lakers' 2025 first-round selection as a swap after skipping the 2024 pick, which it received as part of the Anthony Davis trade, leading to this situation.

Jones' lengthy contract could prevent most teams from trading for him, especially the ones preserving assets for their next franchise centerpiece. Other interested teams could be handicapped by apron rules or lack of draft capital.

If New Orleans chooses to move Jones at the deadline, the Lakers should ideally be involved in the sweepstakes, even if it means letting go of their only tradeable first with other expiring contracts.