FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

The Lakers will technically play at least one game at home during their eight-game road trip. This second game of the trip is officially an away matchup at the Intuit Dome, but staying in Los Angeles makes it feel different. Being a cross-town rivalry only adds to that, making this already the third meeting between the two teams this season.

The prior two matchups could not have been more different. In the first meeting, Luka Dončić was the Clippers assassin we have seen many times before, dominating with 43 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block. In the rematch, he struggled early, and then things deteriorated quickly. An injury scare led to him missing the second half with a leg contusion. That game marked one of the low points of the season, the start of a three-game losing streak that ended with a demoralizing Christmas loss and the injury to Austin Reaves.

Two key headlines going into this game are whether the Lakers can extend their streak of two strong performances to three, and whether Kawhi Leonard, listed as questionable, becomes the latest player to return from injury against the Lakers.

As with the previous game, I decided to mix up the preview format as the trade deadline approaches. Clippers forward John Collins, who is in the final year of his five-year contract, is the player I chose to take a closer look at for this matchup.

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Lakers (26-16) @ Clippers (19-24) game facts
Rest: LAL on 1 day of rest; LAC on 1 day of rest

Ranking: LAL 16th in Point Diff (-0.2), LAC 22nd in Point Diff (-2.3)

LAL vs LAC 2025-26 record: 1-1 (see Game 17 observations here; see Game 27 observations here)

LAL injuries: Austin Reaves (OUT), Adou Thiero (OUT)

LAC injuries: Bradley Beal (OUT), Bogdan Bogdanović (OUT), Derrick Jones Jr. (OUT), Chris Paul (OUT), Kawhi Leonard (questionable)

LAL projected starting five: Luka Dončić (G), Marcus Smart (G), Jake LaRavia (F), LeBron James (F), Deandre Ayton (C)

LAL key reserves: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Drew Timme

LAC projected starting five: James Harden (G), Kris Dunn (G), Kawhi Leonard (F), John Collins (F), Ivica Zubac (C)

LAC key reserves: Kobe Sanders, Jordan Miller, Nicolas Batum, Cam Christie, Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Clippers and Kawhi trending up

Apart from another injury setback for Leonard, the Clippers are in a completely different place than they were heading into the previous matchup with the Lakers on December 20. They entered that game on a five-game losing streak, sitting at 6–21 and ranking as the third-worst defense in the NBA. However, that game against the Lakers proved to be a turning point. Including that win, the Clippers have won 13 of their next 16 games and rank as the third-best offense in the NBA since that point.

Before missing his last three games with a left knee contusion, Leonard had been playing like one of the best players in the NBA during that stretch, averaging nearly 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and 2.6 steals per game. The mercurial, injury-prone forward is quietly putting together one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a career-high 28.2 points per game on elite 50, 40, 90 shooting splits.

Key question: will the Lakers defense get weird with James Harden?

Leonard has not only been scoring at a high level, but his on off numbers also point to him being the Clippers’ most important overall player and defender. If he is available, it gives the Clippers three unique pressure points, all players the Lakers will have a difficult time containing individually in Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac.

As dominant as Leonard has been as a scorer, Harden remains the irreplaceable offensive engine. The Clippers score 120.3 points per 100 possessions with Harden on the floor this season, compared to just 107.2 when he is off. That number does not improve much in minutes with Leonard on and Harden off, as the Clippers score at a rate of 109.1 points per 100 possessions in those lineups.

The thing to watch in this game will be whether JJ Redick decides to continue, in his words, getting weird. That has meant playing zone defense for the final three quarters against the Raptors, and blitzing Jamal Murray for the entire second half of the turnaround win against the Nuggets. Harden is a far better playmaker and passer, and far more accustomed to being trapped, than Murray. That makes a similar approach far riskier, but seeing how the Los Angeles Lakers choose to handle Harden will be one of the most interesting subplots of the game.

Player watch: John Collins

As mentioned, I will try to weave interesting players into the game coverage as we get closer to the trade deadline. Collins is in the final year of his five-year contract and, as such, an especially interesting player to track going forward and into the summer

Source: Spotrac

Colli.ns is not a prototypical wing defender or a lob-catching, rim-protecting big who would immediately top the Lakers’ priority list as they look to rebuild the roster around Dončić. He is something of a tweener, with some characteristics of both of those archetypes, but also weaknesses that prevent him from fully fitting either role. He is a good shooter, especially deadly from the corners, but not mobile enough to be a strong wing defender. He is athletic and can finish lobs and block the occasional shot, but he does not have the size or length to consistently play the five.

What makes Collins intriguing to me is his efficiency as both a shooter and a finisher. In some ways, he profiles as a more athletic and bouncier version of Rui Hachimura, someone who could be a useful rotation piece as a sixth man. In that role, he could play as a backup power forward or even as a small-ball center, where his shooting becomes even more valuable. Collins is thriving by punishing teams that sag off him around Harden, shooting 43 percent from three and 48 percent from the corners this season. Over the last two seasons, he has been among the deadliest corner shooters in the league, converting 47 percent of those attempts. For comparison, Hachimura has hit 43 percent of his corner threes over the same span.

Source: Cleaning the Glass

He has lost some of the bounce he had earlier in his career catching lobs from Trae Young, but he remains an effective rim finisher and is still athletic enough to be a vertical threat for a playmaker like Harden or Dončić.

Defensively, Collins is not a wing stopper, but he competes, and his size and bounce make him a much more impactful defensive playmaker than Hachimura. If we look at block and steal rates, P.J. Washington is a much closer statistical comparison, though Collins is not at Washington’s level as an on-ball or one-on-one defender.

Source: bball-index

I am not saying Collins should be on the Lakers’ priority list. Rather, he is a player who could become a useful pickup at the right value if the opportunity arises, and as such, one I will be watching a little more closely tonight.

Hi, HelloKawhi Leonard has been upgraded to QUESTIONABLE against the Lakers.Have a nice day!— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) January 22, 2026

Here are the top-10 Lakers trade targets in NBA today:GUARDSAyo DosunmuQuentin GrimesJose AlvaradoMalik MonkWINGSMichael Porter Jr.Keon EllisBIGSDaniel GaffordRobert Williams IIIKristaps PorzingisNic Claxton https://t.co/gGIH4Jauuj— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 22, 2026

MICHAEL PORTER JR.

Porter has been one of the breakout stars of the season following his offseason trade to Brooklyn, going from excellent starter to potential All-Star who entering Tuesday is averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 reounds and 3.2 assists as the Nets play feisty, defensive-minded basketball and are more competitive than expected under Jordi Fernandez.

The 27-year-old forward is 6-foot-10 and is one of the most efficient off-ball scorers in the league, a lights-out shooter from all three levels who is sharp as a cutter and off-ball mover. He’s added more prowess off the dribble this season, knocking down shots from all three levels like he did before his back injury in college. He’s also a killer rebounder and showed the ability to defend in the playoffs when he played with the Nuggets.

Porter is owed $38.3 million this season and $40.8 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He has also has a history of some injury questions and was flagged at the combine, meaning that teams will want to get a look at more up-to-date medicals before making any big decisions. But a move for Porter could swing the title race for teams like Detroit that could use one more scoring threat.

Trade value
High-End Prospect and A First Round Pick
Age
27

DANIEL GAFFORD

Gafford is a simple player in the best ways. He’s a sharp defender at the rim who uses his supreme vertical leaping ability well and has developed more tact as a drop-coverage defender in ball screens and weakside rotational defender. He’s not overly mobile laterally and can get the corner turned on him if he gets too high in screen coverage, but he’s become solid on that end while consistently converting as one of the league’s best rollers to the rim and lob catchers out of ball screens. He’s made over 70 percent of his field goal attempts through his NBA career and has to be accounted for by the defense.

Gafford just signed an extension last summer and is locked in for three more years and $54 million after this one. It’s a good deal for a starting-caliber center who is only 27 years old. The Mavericks need to make a choice on what their frontcourt of the future looks like, and even after Dereck Lively’s foot injury, Gafford could be the odd man out because of his lack of positional flexibility. He’d be an outstanding pickup for someone like the Pacers, who could use an uptempo starting big.

Trade value
First-Round Pick or Good Prospect/Player
Best fits
Pacers
Age
27
Position
Big
Expiration
2029

NIC CLAXTON

Claxton is a mobile defender who can block shots at a high level and is versatile in his ability to play in different ball-screen coverages. At 6-11, he’s always been a mobile threat rotating across the play to block shots. Sometimes he’ll get overaggressive and get the team into rotation, which can hinder his value on that end. He’s not quite the top-10 defender in the league he was back in 2023, but his offense has started to take a bit of a jump. Back at Georgia, Claxton showed some fun ballhandling and passing ability. He has never actualized that until this year, as he’s averaging 4.1 assists versus only 1.5 turnovers at the center position. He’s become a useful ball-movement cog in the Nets machine.

Claxton is still only 26 years old. The contract isn’t exactly a steal right now at $25.3 million per year. But over the next two years — where he’ll make $44 million — it starts to become one as the deal descends in value when the salary cap is scheduled to rise. He’ll make just under $21 million in 2027-28, which is projected to be just 12 percent of the salary cap. It’ll cost a first-round pick to pry Claxton out of Brooklyn, but there are teams that can reasonably make the assessment that such a move would be worth it.

Trade value
First-Round Pick
Age
26
Position
Big
Expiration
2028
Big
8

AYO DOSUNMU

I’ve long been a fan of Dosunmu, a player who takes exactly what the defense gives him and makes plays every time he’s on the court. He doesn’t overstay his welcome on the ball, but he is capable of slashing to the rim. He moves with purpose off the ball. Defensively, he’s solid and tough at the point of attack at 6-4, 200 pounds. And he’s having his best statistical year. Dosunmu is averaging 14.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3 and 86 percent from the line. This is an efficient, smart basketball player who could make a real difference in several rotations league-wide, especially for teams that have a spacing big.

The former Illinois All-American is on an expiring contract worth only $7.5 million, too. That means he’s available for just about every team, including those that are limited by apron and salary-cap thresholds. Even teams such as the Lakers, Rockets, Knicks and others can theoretically get in the bidding for Dosunmu, and all of them could use him. Because the market could end up being a bit wider, I would expect that Dosunmu would return more than what people expect.

Trade value
Second-Round Picks
Best fits
Rockets, Celtics, Knicks, Pistons, Magic, Lakers, Timberwolves
Age
25
Position
Guard
Expiration
2026
Guard

QUENTIN GRIMES

Grimes decided to take the qualifying offer as a restricted free agent this offseason as opposed to signing a longer-term deal with the 76ers. That means Grimes has a no-trade clause that allows him to approve any destination. Still, he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and it’s unclear how the 76ers see him long-term given their recent draft selections of Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe alongside All-Star starter Tyrese Maxey.

For his part in all of this, Grimes has been very good for the 76ers this season. He’s averaging 14 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3, and he continues to bring energetic defense. Any team that trades for Grimes would also not inherit the Bird rights that the 76ers would if they were to keep him.

There is real reason to buy into the 76ers retaining Grimes given how valuable he’s been, the no-trade clause and the Bird rights conundrum. However, his role has been reduced with Joel Embiid’s return, and they aren’t counting on him for quite as much offense now. The team clearly has a position of strength in the backcourt and a real need for bigger bodies in the frontcourt at the four position. If the team feels like it can’t retain Grimes in the offseason, moving him now to a place that he approves could be a valuable tool.

Trade value
A Different Good Player (Has Right to Approve Trade)
Best fits
Clippers, Timberwolves, Bucks, Trail Blazers
Age
25
Position
Guard
Expiration
2026
Guard

KEON ELLIS

Ellis is the King who has received the most interest on the trade market to this point, per league sources, largely because of his contract and perceived value. At times, Ellis’ ability gets a bit overstated. He is a limited offensive player without a lot of ballhandling skill. He’s also quite skinny, which means that he’s not quite a full-on switchable, stopper with All-Defense caliber-upside on that end of the court.

However, Ellis can bring energetic defensive play with excellent, disruptive hand-eye coordination. He can take on tough defensive assignments in the backcourt. As a shooter, he’s been a 41.5 percent 3-point marksman for his career (36 percent this season), excelling as the fifth offensive option on the court who can space from the corners or in relocations above-the-break. You have to guard him, although I don’t think of him as a guy that you run off-ball actions for.

The key here, though, is that Ellis only makes $2.3 million, meaning every team in the league can theoretically get involved in a potential bidding war. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but the team that acquires him would have his full Bird rights and a low cap hold. The asking price is thought to be in the range of a late first-round pick. Other teams around the league, though, are struggling to answer the question as to why he doesn’t play more on a team that could theoretically use his defense and off-ball shot-making. That might hold it back to a couple of second-rounders.

Trade value
Second-Round Picks
Best fits
Lakers, Magic, Nuggets, Knicks, 76ers, Cavaliers, Heat
Age
26
Position
Wing
Expiration
2026
Wing

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS

Porziņģis was off to a strong start for the Hawks, with the advanced stats being big fans of his impact on the team. Particularly, his offensive value was quite high, as the spacing he provided for Jalen Johnson and Atlanta slashers was useful. With Porziņģis on the court, Johnson’s true shooting percentage jumps from 59.7 to 63.2, per Databallr. Additionally, Porziņģis has been putting up numbers of his own, averaging 17.1 points in just 24 minutes per game with a career-high 2.7 assists per game versus a career-low 0.9 turnovers. The Hawks simplified his role, and he was thriving.

Alas, Porziņģis has only been able to play in 17 games because of illness and injury. He’s on an expiring contract worth $30.7 million that could allow the Hawks to look into reshaping their roster if they believe he is unlikely to play a significant number of games moving forward. Undoubtedly, there are good players available with multiple years remaining on their deals whose teams would be happy to deal them. Porziņģis’ contract could easily be used as a mechanism to facilitate such a transaction.

Trade value
Salary Matching In a Trade
Age
30
Position
Big
Expiration
2026
Big

JOSE ALVARADO

Alvarado can help a team. He’s helped the Pelicans a lot when he’s been in the game this year. During his 500 minutes, the Pelicans have been seven points per 100 possessions better than when he’s off the court, largely because his point-of-attack defensive efforts allow the team to have a stronger infrastructure on that end. He’s an aggressive pressure defender who can pick players up in the backcourt and make life harder for opposing teams. He’s also averaging eight points and 3.3 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3. He makes quick decisions when he’s on the court and generally can play both on and off the ball because of that ability to shoot.

There are size-based hurdles for a team that acquires him. He’s only 6 feet tall, so he won’t be for everyone. However, he consistently helps his team, and I think he could be a useful backup guard for a playoff team. Alvarado is potentially on an expiring contract this year, as he’s making $4.5 million this season and then has a $4.5 million player option for next year. If the Pelicans wanted to cash in now, the time would be right, and I think they’d likely get a couple of second-rounders.

Trade value
Second-Round Picks
Best fits
Knicks, Magic, Clippers, Timberwolves, Rockets
Age
27
Position
Guard
Expiration
2027 (player option)
Guard

ROBERT WILLIAMS III

Williams’ career has been a disappointment because of injury. After making an All-Defense team in 2022, he’s simply been unable to stay on the court. He’s played just 85 games in the last three and a half years. When he’s out there, he’s very valuable because he is a mobile defensive player who has awesome help instincts and can protect the rim. He’s also an efficient finisher at the rim who can operate in short-roll situations on offense with his passing vision. The good news is that he’s been able to play in 30 games this year and has seen nearly 500 minutes of action. But I don’t know that you can rely on that to continue, either, given that teams have to work hard to manage his knee.

Williams’ $13.3 million contract is expiring this year, which means the Blazers will have a choice as to whether they continue to work with him on his injuries or if they try to cash in at the deadline for whatever they can get. A team with an established starting center looking for a difference-maker off the bench is the best situation for Williams. For 15 to 20 minutes per night, he can be an impact guy. But that also holds true for the Blazers, who want to be competent and solid but have precious little center depth behind Donovan Clingan if they were to trade Williams with how raw Yang Hansen is. The team wants its identity to be on the defensive end, and trading Williams would make that harder. Still, he’s an expiring contract who could be looked at as a value add for a number of teams.

Trade value
Second-Round Picks
Best fits
Lakers, Pelicans, Bulls
Age
28
Position
Big
Expiration
2026
Big

The two brothers, along with some of their siblings, had learned during their June meetings and then in the days after that some members of Jeanie’s inner circle stood to receive substantial bonuses from the sale.

One person with knowledge of the events said that those people included Linda and Kurt Rambis, Grigsby, McCormack and Harris, the team’s president of business operations.

Linda Rambis stood to pocket $24 million, the same as McCormack, Grigsby and Harris. Kurt, meanwhile, stood to make $8 million.

The figures were a nod, of all things, to Kobe Bryant, who wore the numbers 24 and 8 during his 20-year Lakers career.

The total figure for such payouts was $114 million, the same figure that Janie said she was told during her June meeting with Grigsby, McCormack and Jeanie.

Otis,There are three areas the Lakers need major improvements in to compete for a championship.1. Volume 3-point shooting. MPJ would give us a second volume 3-point shooter. Could be easiest path to immediate success.2. 15 minutes per game of elite rim protection is…— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 21, 2026

This behind the scenes of Jeanie Buss selling the Lakers article on ESPN is CRAZZYYYYThey said she hated Lebron was labeled as "Saving The Lakers Franchise" and she even wanted to trade Lebron and thinks LeBron didn't take no accountability for the Russell Westbrook trade pic.twitter.com/rhzPWOWsJh— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) January 21, 2026

LeBron James saved the Lakers… but STILL had to earn LA's respect 👀🤷‍♂️Jeanie Buss breaks down why Los Angeles fans weren’t ready to crown The King on Day 1.ALL THE SMOKE is live on YouTube 💨 pic.twitter.com/eW0kVLBzaJ— All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) January 21, 2026

Surprised. Jeanie Buss is a LeBron James hater. Wow, I’m shocked. I would’ve never noticed 😂😂😂 https://t.co/XvV9NnjkQT pic.twitter.com/UD3wH5UmGZ— ADHD (@ADHDGoat) January 21, 2026

Surprised. Jeanie Buss is a LeBron James hater. Wow, I’m shocked. I would’ve never noticed 😂😂😂 https://t.co/XvV9NnjkQT pic.twitter.com/UD3wH5UmGZ— ADHD (@ADHDGoat) January 21, 2026

JJ Redick’s second half adjustments have been AMAZING over the last two games:- 39 PTS allowed in 2nd half vs. TOR- 36 PTS allowed in 2nd half vs. DEN pic.twitter.com/W50iwxALVC— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) January 21, 2026

🚨 DONCIC MUY CLARO 🚨"Defensa IMPRESIONANTE en la 2ª parte""Marcus estuvo genial al final, ganó el partido"👉 MÁS rebote, MÁS jugar sin balón, MÁS energía, Y TODOS JUNTOSLa Técnica: "Solo reclamé que me dieron 2 veces en el brazo". RECURRIRÁ!!pic.twitter.com/CIQymyQB96— Pichu Ruas (@PichuRuas) January 21, 2026

LEBRON JAMES TONIGHT:👑 19 PTS👑 9 REB👑 8 AST👑 53% FG👑 100% 3P👑 +13LAKERS BEAT DENVER.Year 23. Age 41. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/E6CSk0DcYo— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) January 21, 2026

A triple-double for Luka Dončić in LAL's W!✨ 38 PTS✨ 13 REB✨ 10 ASTIt's his 7th game this season with 35+ PTS, 10+ AST, and 5+ REB… surpassing Jerry West’s 1969 mark of 6 for the most such games in a single season in Lakers franchise history. pic.twitter.com/vpWfXUw7P9— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026

“Smart was awesome defensively all night. Came up with a huge charge. Van was great. Like he always does, have some huge contest rebounds in the fourth quarter. Jaxson come in at halftime and have to start the second half and go quite frankly way past his restrictions to help get… pic.twitter.com/4LjNDzfySn— 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 🏆 (@PurpGolded) January 21, 2026

Lakers INSANE Comeback To Beat Nuggets In Denver! Luka Drops A Triple Double https://t.co/w8Eztj0odO— Trevor Lane (@TrevorLane) January 21, 2026

#LakeShow #Lakers #lakersnation pic.twitter.com/rDhchiJdrx— Jeffrey L Sims (@Jeffrey_L_Sims) January 21, 2026

From Deandre’s IG: https://t.co/BVi0xIjnXg pic.twitter.com/fnXvfYnQon— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2026

DREW TIMME TONIGHT:9 POINTS3 REBOUNDS11 MINHe’s been such a great help even with limited minutes pic.twitter.com/g1cV89hanq— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) January 21, 2026

For the first time in a long time, the Lakers stars elevated the role players who, in turn, elevated the Lakers stars. Was this a one off, or a sign of a trend that’s cause for optimism? https://t.co/K2PRQwJU9i— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 21, 2026

LeBron James with some heady praise for Lakers two-way big man Drew Timme: “He’s a smart basketball player. He knows how to play the game. And his IQ correlates to this level. So it's great to see that the coaches have believed in him” pic.twitter.com/mxB9p3aQRa— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2026