The Lakers’ search for a wing could take them to an interesting landing spot.
If LA is set on landing a 3-and-D wing at the trade deadline, it’s going to come with some caveats. It will likely either cost
them an arm and a leg, an asking price they can’t really afford, or it’s going to force them to take a player with a large contract.
It’s that latter point that finds them linked to De’Andre Hunter. Ironically, Hunter was selected with the Lakers’ No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft, which was included in the Anthony Davis trade. After he was dealt to the Hawks on draft day, Hunter was sent to the Cavs at last year’s trade deadline.
With the Cavs underperforming and looking to downsize their huge payroll and Hunter struggling while on a big contract, Cleveland has made him available, which brings the Lakers into the equation. After recently being linked with the purple and gold by Brad Turner of the LA Times, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints added some more context to that on Thursday.
According to him, the Lakers and Cavs have had discussions about a trade with some in Cleveland’s front office fond of the idea of Dalton Knecht as a buy-low candidate.
Hunter’s season averages are a far cry from his career numbers. He’s shooting 42% from the field and a career-worst 30.9% from the 3-point line. Prior to this campaign, Hunter had shot 38.2% from range over the last four seasons.
Because of the aprons placing limitations on both the Lakers and Cavs — thanks again for that CJ McCollum — a trade for Hunter effectively requires a third. The Lakers are hard-capped at the second apron and sit just under $1 million below it right now, while Cleveland, as a second-apron team, can not take back more money in a trade.
That leaves too fine a needle to thread, whereas simply bringing in a third team, like the Nets, alleviates most of those issues.
Hunter is on the books for $23.3 million this season and a guaranteed $24.9 million next season. Aggregating two of Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt with Dalton Knecht gets them just above that figure, which could bring in the likes of Haywood Highsmith and/or Day’Ron Sharpe.
Even then, it’s not a straightforward deal but that framework will likely be one the team works with. Ideally, the Lakers open up a bit of wiggle room below the second apron, allowing them to sign a buyout player this season as well.
But even in that scenario, this is a risk for the Lakers. Similar to the Cavs buying low on Knecht, the Lakers would be buying low on Hunter. Both teams would have to have the belief that a change of scenery would benefit the player.
It would also change the future outlook as well. While he would be an expiring contract and still could be dealt this summer if needed, he would still be future money on the books. It would show intent behind the report last offseason that the Lakers were going to be more aggressive moving forward.
With the Lakers in a precarious position and looking for improvement, Hunter could be the type of player the team makes a deal for and hopes that the gamble pays off, giving them another viable starter. The best version of Hunter can certainly slot into the starting lineup, but can the Lakers unlock that version of him again?
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
