With LeBron James finally healthy after missing the start of the season due to sciatica in his right side, the Los Angeles Lakers have the firepower at the top to contend with anybody in the league.
However, there is still room for improvement, and upping the overall star power of the roster will be instrumental to Los Angeles’ quest to dethrone the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Trades To Turn the Lakers Into True Contenders
Lakers Deal for Star Center That Fits Flawlessly
One of the bright spots in Brooklyn this year has been Nicolas Claxton, who is enjoying arguably the best season of his professional career. He has flown somewhat under the radar the last few seasons on a rebuilding team, but he was a key complementary piece for the Nets suqad that featured Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving a few years ago.
Claxton has revolutionized his offensive game this season both as a scorer and facilitator, as he’s averaging a career-high 14.1 points and 4.1 assists. At 26 years old, he can be a long-term solution at center alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers have a top-10 offense this year, but their defense hasn’t been as impactful; the addition of Claxton could allow them to be a top-10 team on both sides of the floor, considering his 1.4 blocks per game.
Claxton has been highly productive for the Nets, but the rest of this team isn’t ready to compete. By the team this squad will be ready to push for the playoffs, Claxton will probably be approaching age 30. Getting back two first-round picks, including one this year, would represent a solid return.
Dončić is only under contract through 2028, with a player option in 2029, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be around when the Nets make this pick. A first-rounder that far out is a wild card and could be an early pick if the Lakers aren’t able to keep Dončić and Reaves around.
Plus, in this scenario, they get a one-time first-round pick in Dalton Knecht and a few other solid veteran pieces.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Nicolas Claxton, Haywood Highsmith, Tyrese Martin
Brooklyn Nets receive: Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, 2026 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Lakers Look to New Orleans for Depth at Guard and Forward
The Lakers have plenty of firepower in the starting lineup, and they should always have a high-level offensive engine out on the floor. Adding more role players will make them serious contenders.
Saddiq Bey missed all of the 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL, but he has been an important part of the rotation for the New Orleans Pelicans this year. He can space the floor and is effective on the glass despite standing just 6’7”.
Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado can serve as a backup ball handler when needed, but his most important impact will be made on the defensive end. The Lakers give up some of their cap space next summer, but both additions are long-term pieces that can help them contend for a few seasons.
This is a lost season for the Pelicans, and they’re arguably best served acquiring draft capital. What could be even more important is staying financially flexible when the team isn’t winning enough to make the cap constraints of the first and second aprons worthwhile.
Alvarado and Bey are solid rotation pieces, but the eventual returns of Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray will likely push Alvarado out of the rotation, and Bey will come off the bench when Herbert Jones is healthy.
The untapped potential of a 2031 first-round pick makes this deal worth it for New Orleans, especially if the Pelicans end up making other future-oriented deals at the deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Saddiq Bey, Jose Alvarado
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Maxi Kleber, 2028 first-round pick swap, 2031 first-round pick
Lakers Take Chance on Former First-Round Pick
The 13th overall pick in 2024, Devin Carter has barely seen the floor for the Sacramento Kings this season. However, a fresh start with the Lakers could be just what his career needs.
Carter was excellent on both ends of the floor at Providence, but he hasn’t gotten the chance to showcase his talent in the NBA. Carter can provide defense and floor spacing this year, but there is plenty of long-term upside that can make this worth it for the Lakers.
Just like Carter, a fresh start would be good for Knecht, and the Kings need floor-spacers. Carter hasn’t seen the floor in seven straight games, and it appears that head coach Doug Christie has zero intentions to make him part of the rotation.
From that perspective, they really wouldn’t give up much. Sacramento has plenty of talented offensive players, but their three-point shooting options are limited. Knecht is a solid player, but his strength is from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Devin Carter
Sacramento Kings receive: Dalton Knecht
Lakers Add Offensive Juice Off Bench
It was a rough start to the season for CJ McCollum, but he’s getting back to being a high-level scorer.
The Lakers are last in the league in bench scoring, and McCollum would immediately become one of the best reserve scorers in the league. He can space the floor and handle the ball, which will lighten the load on the Lakers’ three stars. McCollum is also on an expiring deal, which provides the Lakers with flexibility moving forward.
McCollum has been a solid veteran leader for the Washington Wizards, but they need to get value back for him while they can. Adding a third first-round pick in a loaded class will do more for the future of this team than McCollum will.
Vanderbilt, Kleber and Vincent will also provide a veteran presence in the Wizards locker room, and only Vanderbilt is under contract next season, so this isn’t a taxing move. However, it’s the first-round pick that the Wizards will be after.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: CJ McCollum
Washington Wizards receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, 2026 first-round pick
Lakers Swing for Fences, Acquire Former Luka Dončić Teammate
Deandre Ayton has been solid, but adding a championship-caliber center that has experience playing next to Luka would be a great swing for the Lakers.
Kristaps Porziņģis is on an expiring deal, but the Lakers could certainly keep him around beyond this year. He can play next to Ayton in two-big lineups, which would help them match up with the Thunder and Houston Rockets in the playoffs.
Porziņģis won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024 and could help the Lakers win in 2026. The Lakers are last in the league in made three-pointers per game; adding Porziņģis will certainly change that while also providing more space for the stars to operate.
The Atlanta Hawks are at a crossroads. They have the rights to the Pelicans’ first-round pick and could potentially add an elite prospect next summer with some luck. They’ve been playing pretty well (but not great) without Trae Young, but they also have a better record when Porziņģis hasn’t played this season.
They could certainly look to flip Porziņģis after not giving up much to acquire him this summer and add a third first-round pick in a loaded class. That wouldn’t require them to move on from Young, but it certainly gives them the flexibility. It also doesn’t prevent them from winning now.
Vincent would be an upgrade over Keaton Wallace as the backup point guard, and Rui Hachimura would provide more depth at the forward spots. Meanwhile, without Porziņģis, the Hawks could turn to Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell to fill the center minutes when Onyeka Okongwu is on the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Kristaps Porziņģis
Atlanta Hawks receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2026 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick