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5 Lakers Still on Thin Ice After Surviving the Trade Deadline

By Cem Yolbulan

Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (R) reacts on the bench after a basket by Lakers guard Bronny James (not pictured) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (R) reacts on the bench after a basket by Lakers guard Bronny James (not pictured) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Gabe Vincent

The Lakers were expected to part ways with Vincent at the trade deadline because of his $11 million salary for this season. His salary could have been used as a trade chip when the Lakers were trying to upgrade the roster.

Fortunately for him, however, the Lakers ended up only needing Anthony Davis and Max Christie's salaries to pull off the Luka Doncic deal. In the Mark Williams deal, Vincent's contract was once again not needed.

Even though Vincent is still on the team, he is officially on thin ice now. Since being signed as a free agent in the 2023 offseason, the former Heat guard has failed to live up to expectations in Los Angeles. He is healthy this season after missing all but 11 games last year. However, he is still looking for his shot.

Since joining the Lakers, Vincent has been shooting under 30% from three while averaging 4.7 points per game. He is a good perimeter defender and is a good fit next to Luka Doncic on paper. In practice, however, he needs to start hitting his threes to be a viable option in the playoffs.

If he isn't hitting his shots for the rest of the season, he will be gone in the offseason.

Rui Hachimura

Despite constantly being mentioned in trade discussions since being acquired by the Lakers, Hachimura somehow survived yet another transaction period. Now, the Lakers desperately need him for his positional size and wing play. 

Hachimura is having a solid season. He is not setting the world on fire by any means, but he is shooting over 40% from three and playing average defense. As three-and-D forwards go, he is not a bad option. Alongside Dorian Finney-Smith, he will have a big role on this team as the only viable two-way role players.

At the same time, Hachimura will make $18.2 million for the 2025-26 season. That salary is enticing in a potential trade in the offseason, especially because it is an expiring deal. Combining his contract with a pick swap or a second-rounder could net the Lakers a better player. 

Unless Hachimura can look like he did in the 2023 Playoffs for the Lakers for the rest of this season, he will be near the top of the list of potential departures in the summer. 

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