The Lakers search for a dependable three-and-D wing. As GM Rob Pelinka took a step back in bringing in De’Andre Hunter, the Cleveland Cavaliers were quick to find another solution. It led to a double blow for the Purple and Gold franchise as they lost out on Sacramento Kings’ shooting guard Keon Ellis. Now, the Cavs may have got one trade over the line, while the idea of a homecoming tour for LeBron James continues to grab the headlines.

De’Andre Hunter and Keon Ellis, both linked to the Lakers, were instead traded for each other. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the trade, “BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.”

Thus, the Cavs turned Hunter’s slot into backcourt depth to create $50 million in salary and tax savings this season. Kings receive an established 3-and-D wing under contract through 2027 at the age of 28. Now, the Lakers were very interested in trading for De’Andre Hunter, but the conversations changed recently.

Cavs forward was sitting at the “top” of the Lakers’ wish list. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office recently even designed a potential framework with the Cavaliers. According to reports, the trade included sending forward Rui Hachimura and sophomore Dalton Knecht as a buy-low spot. But didn’t see any draft compensation coming back with De’Andre Hunter, which was the potential problem for Pelinka.

According to the report, Rob Pelinka’s hesitation centered on Hunter’s 4-year, $90 million contract, which pays him $23.3 million in 2025-26 and $24.9 million in 2026-27. Absorbing this money, with a career low in three-point shooting and no draft picks, was considered too risky, so the Lakers backed off De’Andre Hunter. Inadvertently leading them to even lose out on Ellis.

Dalton Knecht’s name was again involved, this time in a straight swap with Ellis. The former Kings guard had a salary figure of just $2.3 million in the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht makes $4 million in the same season. The Lakers are operating just over a million dollars below the first apron, so financially, the math works.

Knecht’s outgoing salary exceeds Ellis’ incoming figure, keeping the Lakers under the first apron and the deal clean under league rules. But now all those plans are out of the picture, leaving the Lakers GM scratching his head.

Bad news keeps piling on Rob Pelinka as two more players stay put

As the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, the Lakers continue searching for a true two-way wing who can truly perform defensive duties without damaging their offensive roles. The search led the Lakers all the way to New Orleans, where Rob Pelinka had his eyes on Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III. But Marc Stein’s report added that “The Pelicans remain resistant to trade interest in both Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.”

Now, The Athletic’s report further jeopardized the Lakers GM’s thought process.

“League sources tell The Athletic it’s unlikely that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, or Herb Jones will be moved before Feb. 5,” No doubt that the Pelicans are focused on building a future around 2025 first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. But they still believe that Murphy, Jones, and Williamson can be foundational pieces of the puzzle moving forward.

For the Lakers, it was yet another double blow. Both preferred solutions are now off the table. While the Pelicans were resisting, the Cavaliers went ahead and traded De’Andre Hunter, as Rob Pelinka even lost on the backup wing option.