The annual NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching and teams like the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly remain active in talks. The Lakers have clear needs across the roster and would be best suited to make a deal, though so far nothing seems imminent.
Los Angeles has clearly established themselves as a playoff team, even in a loaded Western Conference, but there’s a clear gap between them and the true title contenders this season. The Lakers boast enough star power in the form of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves but need a better supporting cast to prop up their championship odds.
The roster is in desperate need of more defense, shooting and size across each position but the team is limited in attractive young players and assets that opposing teams covet. Still, Los Angeles needs to scour the market for any serviceable upgrade if they hope to advance deep into the postseason.
One name that could be available is Brooklyn Nets big man Day’Ron Sharpe, whom the Lakers just played on Tuesday. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Sharpe has advocates in the purple and gold locker room:
Sources inside the Lakers locker room are fans of Brooklyn center Day’Ron Sharpe, who had 19 points and 14 rebounds in the Nets’ loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night.
Sharpe is represented by the same agency that represents Jake LaRavia and Reaves, so they are naturally the first two names that come to mind when it comes to the locker room’s reported interest. However, there is plenty to like about Sharpe as he’s an energetic big that can rebound and finish near the rim.
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes have formed a solid center tandem throughout the 2025-26 season, though the former has seen a downtick in production as of late. Injuries are always a concern for L.A. as well, so adding a third big in Sharpe is far from a bad idea.
However, the Lakers don’t have much in terms of future tradable draft capital so executing a deal for someone like Sharpe could prove to be difficult. The lack of attractive assets could wind up being what results in a quiet trade deadline for Los Angeles.
Lakers would become viable threat to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer
Los Angeles appears to be positioning themselves to make a big move in the summer when they’ll have access to more tradable first round picks and ample cap space. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is considered the big prize of the trade deadline but if he isn’t moved, then the Lakers would become a viable threat to trade for him in the summer.
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