The Los Angeles Lakers have made a move ahead of the NBA trade deadline for the 2025-26 season. They traded Gabe Vincent to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard.
Are there any more moves the franchise has in mind to make before the 3 p.m. deadline? One team insider shared key information about the situation.
Insider’s Update on Lakers’ Approach for Trade Deadline
The Lakers have mostly performed well throughout the first half of the season, cementing their place in the playoff race.
However, their brief lapses during the campaign have prompted calls to improve overall roster depth. That was especially the case for the guard position, where Vincent came off the bench for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Vincent sees his time with the Lakers end after three seasons, having signed with the team in the 2023 offseason. However, his stint with the franchise left a lot to be desired after his rise as a valuable 3-and-D guard for the Miami Heat from 2019 to 2023.
This resulted in Los Angeles moving him to Atlanta in exchange for Kennard, who showcases a sharpshooting ability from beyond the arc. This season, Kennard has been averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game throughout 46 appearances with the Hawks.
His shooting splits have been remarkable, making 53.8% of his total shots, including 49.7% from beyond the arc, and 91.4% from the free-throw line.
As for the other moves Los Angeles might make before the deadline, team insider Broderick Turner poured cold water on the idea of the front office making more significant trades to bolster the roster.
“The Lakers are not expected to make any more moves today — the NBA deadline for deals is noon PST — and instead look to make a big splash this summer when they have a lot more resources available,” Turner wrote.
“The Lakers will have about $60-million in salary cap space this summer and three first-round picks in 2026, 2031 and 2023 they could use to sweeten potential trade offers.”
What’s Next on the Schedule for the Lakers?
The Lakers certainly have the talent to give the best squads in the Western Conference trouble. They can hope that Kennard provides a better fit to the offense with his elite shooting talent on the court.
Los Angeles has a 30-19 record so far this season, holding the sixth spot in the West standings. They are even with the Phoenix Suns for sixth place. However, they are behind the Minnesota Timberwolves by 0.5 games and the Houston Rockets by one game.
Coming off a long eight-game road trip, the Lakers will prepare for their upcoming eight-game homestand. They begin the slate with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 5 at 10 p.m. ET.
