NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Could Lose Ideal Deadline Target as Pacers and Numerous Teams Pursue $2.3M Lockdown Guard

The LA Lakers could lose a potential trade deadline target, Keon Ellis, to the Indiana Pacers. The Sacramento Kings' lockdown guard is among the many players reportedly available via trade as the Western Conference franchise eyes a major shakeup amid another losing season.

Ellis will be one of the most coveted trade candidates due to his pesky defense and 3-point shooting. He's a career 42.9% 3-point shooter, making 42.4% shots from beyond the arc this season.

Here's what HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Wednesday:

"The Indiana Pacers have been among many teams to express interest in Ellis this season and have previously targeted him, league sources told HoopsHype."

Ellis, 26, is on an expiring $2.3 million contract (via Spotrac) and will be a free agent next year. The Lakers need a viable option at the point of attack on defense, and he could have filled that role.

However, if a team like the Pacers enters the race for Ellis, LA's chances of landing him will decrease. The Lakers have one tradeable first-round pick, one second-round pick and Dalton Knecht as a potential trade partner.

Sacramento will get better value for him in a trade with Indiana, which boasts multiple picks and young players. The Lakers won't be able to match that. Moreover, the Kings would probably want to avoid helping a division rival and prefer to ship him to the Eastern Conference.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers continue monitoring Andrew Wiggins' situation

Andrew Wiggins has been one of the most discussed names in trade conversations surrounding the Lakers since the offseason. The teams reportedly couldn't agree on a price as the Heat wanted a first-round pick, along with Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht as the trade centerpieces.

Talks fizzled out, and the Lakers began the season without landing Wiggins. While the defensive concerns remain for LA, the team is 13-4 as of Wednesday. Hachimura, the key centerpiece in a potential Wiggins trade, is off to a hot start, shooting 56.8%, including 48.3% from deep.

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@TheDunkCentral

The Lakers have continued to monitor Andrew Wiggins to see if the Heat make him available, per @JakeLFischer (Via @BleacherReport )

There's not much reason for LA to replace Hachimura with Wiggins just yet. However, according to insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers are still monitoring the former No. 1 pick to see if the Heat will trade him at the deadline.

It will be intriguing to see what the Lakers do given their need to improve defensively while boasting a winning record.