Although the Lakers remain active on the trade market, their limited assets and their desire to retain as much 2026 cap room as possible are complicating factors as they look to upgrade their roster, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Some rival executives believe the Lakers are willing to trade their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick for the right wing, Woike writes, but the sort of player they’d be targeting with that pick either isn’t available at that price or isn’t available at all — that group includes Pelicans forwards Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III.
A league source tells Woike that the Lakers have been linked to practically every defensive-minded wing on the market, including Isaac Okoro of the Bulls and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Clippers. But it seems unlikely Los Angeles would give up its lone tradable first-round pick for a player of that caliber, especially since guys like Okoro and Jones are owed guaranteed money for 2026/27 and would eat into the club’s projected cap space.
As previously reported, the Lakers could emerge as a viable Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor this summer if the Bucks don’t move him at the deadline, but for now, any potential L.A. involvement in a Giannis deal would likely be as a facilitator.
Woike identifies Timberwolves wing Donte DiVincenzo and Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen as a couple players from potential Antetokounmpo suitors who might appeal to the Lakers, and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints hears that L.A. has expressed interest in DiVincenzo.
Those talks haven’t gained traction though, Siegel writes, and Minnesota would likely only move DiVincenzo if it was necessary to land Giannis. Even in that scenario, it’s unclear whether the Lakers would be the Wolves’ most obvious trade partner or if there’s another team more likely to give up valuable draft capital for DiVincenzo.
Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, hasn’t requested a trade, but wouldn’t object to a change of scenery, Woike writes, so he’s a player to keep an eye on if the team does make a deal.
The Lakers are also considering potential non-wing trade targets — sources tell The Athletic that Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe has fans within the organization.
Still, Woike believes that any meaningful changes to the Lakers’ roster are probably more likely to happen this summer than this week.
??? Unless the lakers are planning to trade Reeves there is no way they can get Allen or Divincezo.
Allen would cost way less than Reeves. If the Cavs are looking to shed salary Ayton, Vincent and a second or a pick swap will do the trick.
Harden is very successful when he has a center who can run the pick and roll. Him and Allen are going to be amazing together, I don’t see the Cavs having any interest in moving Allen
How valuable big men are a lot of teams would out bid the lakers for him. Allen you must think very little of Allen if you think that would get him to the Lakers.
How can we believe what ‘experts’ post on here if they don’t bother to fact check their own work. Okoro is a Chicago Bull not a Cavalier. Since last off season.
Reaves is the only value Lakers have. They won’t trade Vanderbilt but he won’t get much. Knect has less value than he did a year ago.
I wish the Lakers would trade Dalton and give him a chance. Every player should want out as long as flopper mcghee is still there.
Divicheeseball isn’t worth squat and at this point I’d rather roll with Ayton and Hayes than trade frps for a center that’s not a huge upgrade. Maybe is Gianni’s gets traded they should try to get Turner.
I thought that Draymond Green could end up on the Lakers
Could
Ayton
Smart
Green
James
Luka
Work?
The selling point would be great defense?
Luka would never have to defend?
James no longer worries about rebounds or assists?
Lakers are 30-19 in 5th place. They are closer to 8th seed than 4th seed. Unless they trade Reaves. There isn’t a trade that will upgrade them much. They are a 6-8th seed. Where we all thought they’d be at beginning of season. Lakers aren’t going anywhere except hime after 1st rd. Time to start planning for next year.
Lakers have 19 losses. Third place Denver has 18 losses, and 8th place GSW has 24 losses.
In what world are the Lakers closer to 8th seed than the 4th? There is only 3 losses separating them from second place, one loss from third, and 5 losses from 8th!!!