NBA fans didn’t just aim their jokes at LeBron James or JJ Redick this time. Instead, the attention shifted to the Lakers’ front office — and especially Rob Pelinka — as the trade deadline keeps getting closer with no clear move in sight.
With the deadline approaching, fans have been watching the Lakers search for answers. Or at least try to. According to the LA Times’ Brad Turner, the team has reportedly shown interest in several names: Naji Marshall, Donte DiVincenzo, De’Andre Hunter, Keon Ellis, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III.
That list alone was enough to set things off for NBA fans.
Fans immediately started questioning whether Pelinka actually knows which direction the team wants to go, or if the Lakers are just throwing names out there.
@vexcorex joked, “Trade deadline in 7 days and Rob Pelinka still googling ‘how to trade for wings without giving up picks.”
Trade deadline in 7 days and Rob Pelinka still googling ‘how to trade for wings without giving up picks’
— Vex-core (@vexcorex) January 28, 2026
@BIGO356 added, “Their trade assets are Gabe Vincent, RUI and dalton lmaoooo they aint touching none of them.”
Not everyone bought into the reports, though. NBA fans still have their doubts.
@TitlesR_Forever raised an eyebrow, saying, “The Lakers never publicly state who they are targeting. I just assume all these stories are coming from the team trying to move players.”
One thing that does seem more likely than not is Rui Hachimura being moved. His contract is expiring, and his inconsistent play has kept him in trade rumors for weeks now. Fair or not, his name keeps coming up when fans talk about who might be on the way out.
“Didn’t he play at UCLA?” NBA fans link Peyton Watson to LA Lakers
While Hachimura’s future stays up in the air, NBA fans have already started floating other ideas.
A post from LakersMuse on X suggested the team look at Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. The reasoning went beyond basketball. Watson grew up in Los Angeles, idolized Kobe Bryant, and was recently seen chatting postgame with Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
That was enough to get NBA fans going again.
@OtisKirk23 asked, “Didn’t he play at UCLA?”
@JLCLakers added, “He is a RFA this offseason… and DEN will have a salary cap crunch…. and he fits what the Lakers need re: wing athleticism and defense… hes def one of the top targets for me.”
And @OverlyP__ pointed out, “Signed with Klutch too.”
Between rumored targets, expiring contracts, and fan-made trade logic, the Lakers’ deadline situation feels as unsettled as ever — and Pelinka remains right in the middle of it.
