Are Lakers close to trading for former top-five pick?

The Los Angeles Lakers need to fix their inconsistent defense. They should be active ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline to find a three-and-D wing.

That's why it's not much of a surprise to hear that they're keeping tabs on De'Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former No. 4 pick has been tangled up in trade rumors.

The Lakers are interested in De'Andre Hunter

"As the Lakers continue to be linked to De’Andre Hunter, the Cavs have been in discussions with a couple other teams regarding him," ClutchPoints insider Siegel wrote on X. "The Nets have come up as a third team to help facilitate money. Hunter is likely to be traded before Feb. 5."

While Hunter's production has dipped this season, some of that may have to do with the lack of a contract extension.

He's struggled with injuries in the past, but he's also shown that he can be an elite wing defender who can also shoot over most defenders.

Per Basketball Reference, the former Atlanta Hawks draft pick is averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 42.2 percent from the floor. 

He'd be an upgrade over both Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, and given Lakers head coach JJ Redick's frustration with the state of the defense, it wouldn't be shocking to see GM Rob Pelinka go the extra mile to get a deal done.