The Los Angeles Lakers have their superstar in Luka Doncic, but the roster is still incomplete, and the front office is now weighing how much it is willing to sacrifice to build around him. Those moves may come at the cost of continuity.

The Lakers’ needs are clear. Defensive structure has been inconsistent, and reliable shooting on the wing remains a concern. While high-end targets like Herb Jones carry steep asking prices, the Lakers appear focused on more affordable alternatives who can impact both ends of the floor.

One name drawing attention is Dallas forward Naji Marshall. According to chatter heard by the LA Times, the Lakers have explored Marshall as a potential target. Other names linked to Los Angeles include Keon Ellis, Donte DiVincenzo, and De’Andre Hunter. Still, Marshall stands out for a different reason.

He has publicly referred to Doncic as a “brother.”

That familiarity matters in a locker room still adjusting to its new centerpiece. Marshall is owed under $10 million next season and $9 million this year, making him one of the more financially workable options on the market. With Dallas dealing with injuries, the 28-year-old has stepped into a larger role and is averaging a career-high 14.7 points on efficient overall shooting.

However, affordability comes with trade-offs.

To make any deal for Marshall work, the Lakers would likely need to cut ties with Rui Hachimura. Hachimura’s $18 million expiring contract is viewed as a valuable piece for teams prioritizing flexibility. For Dallas, that type of contract would open options in the summer while reshaping its roster. Hachimura’s recent performances have only strengthened his standing, making him one of the Lakers’ more attractive outgoing assets.

That is where the dilemma sharpens. While Marshall brings familiarity with Luka Doncic and scoring punch, Hachimura has quietly become one of the Lakers’ most dependable shooters and has improved defensively. Marshall, by contrast, is converting roughly 30 percent of his three-point attempts this season.

The Lakers have also shown openness to including Dalton Knecht along with a second-round pick to facilitate movement. A multi-team framework that delivers Marshall while returning expiring contracts has been floated as a possibility. Even so, swapping Hachimura for Marshall does not clearly solve the Lakers’ biggest issues. It shifts strengths rather than eliminating weaknesses.

Because of that, a minor move may be the preferred route. Anything larger risks disrupting progress the team has already made since reshaping around Doncic.

Why Giannis Suddenly Changes the Deadline Landscape

With eight days left before the February 5 trade deadline, the NBA market has been unusually quiet, a calm many around the league believe signals incoming volatility. At the center of that anticipation is Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose situation has quietly reshaped how teams are approaching the deadline.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is now “ready for a new home” either before the deadline or in the summer, and the Milwaukee Bucks have begun listening to trade offers. That development represents a significant shift from just weeks ago, when Milwaukee was actively rebuffing discussions, and Antetokounmpo continued to avoid formally requesting a trade.

This is not a finalized decision. It is closer to a soft opening.

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Antetokounmpo has reportedly communicated to the Bucks for months that moving him could be the best long-term path forward. Now, with the organization at least engaging in conversations, the league’s entire trade landscape has tilted.

Still, there are limits.

Per Charania, the Bucks are telling teams they are not under pressure to complete a deal before February 5. Milwaukee appears comfortable waiting until the offseason if the right package does not materialize, particularly one built around a high-end prospect and multiple draft picks. That patience matters because more teams will be positioned to make competitive offers in the summer.

Marc Stein has reported that the Miami Heat are one team to monitor, with a potential framework involving Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and draft compensation. Even so, nothing suggests Milwaukee is rushing toward a deadline resolution.

For the Lakers, that reality clarifies their approach.

Antetokounmpo’s openness introduces league-wide urgency, but it does not pull Los Angeles into a short-term bidding war. Instead, it reinforces why the Lakers are focusing on smaller, controllable moves now while preserving flexibility for a much larger swing later.

The Lakers are trying to improve without overcommitting or closing future doors. In a market suddenly defined by Giannis’ availability, patience may be their most valuable asset.