The Los Angeles Lakers rumor mill has been spinning out of control for much of the last two months, encapsulating everything from a Lebron James trade to a massive eight-player hypothetical trade.
While imaging who the Lakers will get or get rid of is always the most enticing, who they won’t part ways with is often more important, as it reveals what the team’s long-term goals are.
Lakers Take Hachimura and Knecht Off Trade Table
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, NBA executives have indicated that the Lakers have not expressed any interest in trading forwards Hachimura and Knecht. This aligns with previous reporting by Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who suggested last month that they viewed Knecht as a valuable long-term asset and were unlikely to part ways with him.
Knecht enjoyed a promising start to his rookie season, averaging over 23 minutes per game in November and December. However, his playing time has decreased in recent weeks, with an average of just 16.3 minutes per game in January.
Overall, Knecht is averaging 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.
Not long ago, Hachimura was seen as a tradable asset by the team. While he has been a consistent starter for the Lakers since February 2024, showcasing improved three-point shooting, his current contract, which includes $35.26 million over the next two seasons, would make him a valuable trade asset for the Lakers.
Recent reporting suggests that the Lakers are in a holding pattern when it comes to their next trade as they assess their second unit. According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, they are currently assessing their internal options before making any further trade decisions ahead of the February 6th deadline.
“Instead of rushing into a deal for a backup big man, the Lakers do have a real desire to see what their second unit looks like once Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are on the court together—something that happened just once a season ago,” Woike wrote Sunday.