The 2024-25 season proved to be an intriguing one for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, and the Atlanta Hawks. What it did show each team, however, were the imminent shortcomings in their efforts to construct a competitive roster.
After some solid outings in the regular season, the Lakers and the Warriors crashed out of the playoffs after being beaten by the Minnesota Timberwolves in subsequent rounds. The derived learning was similar for each team.
The Lakers were exposed for their lack of a solid big man rotation after their loss. Meanwhile, the Warriors managed to cope to some extent. But the absence of Stephen Curry, owed to injury, paired with their limited defensive presence on the perimeter, was exploited in the semifinal matchup.
The state of Atlanta is drastically different in this regard. The Hawks had yet another substandard season. After a loss to the Orlando Magic in the Play-In tournament, it became abundantly clear that the Hawks’ roster was severely lacking in star power. Although their star Trae Young was individually brilliant, the team couldn’t rally around him to help the franchise secure a playoff spot.
The awareness of these three factors indicates that each team has an objective that needs to be fulfilled in the offseason. With this in mind, we take a look at a blockbuster three-team trade proposal that could solve each team’s problem and turn them into a vastly more competitive side.
Proposed Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Gabe Vincent
Golden State Warriors Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, No. 55 Pick, Lakers, 2028 First Round Pick (From Hawks but via Jazz or Cavs), 2030 Second Round Pick (From Hawks)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Clint Capela (Sign and Trade, MLE), Terance Mann
In this scenario, it is clear that the Lakers are a team that will help facilitate the trade by acquiring some salaries. In its way, the trade has a benefit for each team.
The Atlanta Hawks Acquire A Star In Jonathan Kuminga
With growing concerns about building a competitive team around star point guard Trae Young, the Hawks need young talent and reliable role players.
Jonathan Kuminga, a 22-year-old forward, presents a high-upside addition to the Hawks’ roster. Despite a tumultuous season with the Warriors, Kuminga shows tremendous upside for the future.
His athleticism and versatility could thrive in Atlanta’s system, providing a dynamic presence alongside Young. The forward’s ability to create his shot is also nothing to scoff at. With an average of 15.3 points per game in 24.3 minutes of playing time, Kuminga boasts reliable offensive upside.
This opportunity to pair a playmaking guard like Young with a versatile offensive threat like Kuminga could make for a formidable one-two punch in Atlanta.
Kuminga is rumored to be on the move in the summer. After an injury sidelined him in the regular season, the 22-year-old struggled to get playing time behind the Warriors’ newest acquisition, Jimmy Butler.
While head coach Steve Kerr has been cognizant of the situation and has addressed it as well, it was made abundantly clear that Kuminga wouldn’t have the same freedom to develop in this system.
In light of this, it may be more beneficial for the potential star to move to the Eastern Conference and cultivate his talent alongside a tremendously gifted playmaker.
The addition of Kuminga is paired with the arrival of Gabe Vincent from the Lakers. While not a headline acquisition, Vincent offers the Hawks a dependable backup point guard. His experience and steady play can provide stability to the second unit, ensuring that the team’s offense remains effective when Young is off the court.
While he is not as reliable a playmaker as Young is, Vincent makes some solid contributions on the defensive side of the ball. His tenacity and grit, cultivated from his time with the Miami Heat, make him indispensable in a defensive rotation.
Pairing this with his ability to shoot the three-point shot at 35.3% from beyond the arc, the 28-year-old guard makes for a high-value pickup.
The acquisition of these two players could be highly beneficial for the Hawks. With some talented veterans such as Caris LeVert and Larry Nance Jr. entering free agency, Atlanta would do well to plug those spots with other savvy veterans.
The Golden State Warriors Get Their Wing Defender
One of the biggest issues for the Warriors headed into the playoffs this season was their lack of length on the perimeter. This is not to say that the Warriors don’t have some solid defenders. Jimmy Butler, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, and even Draymond Green make for an impressive defensive rotation.
The main issue was that the Warriors found themselves playing undersized in more situations than not. This meant that defenders were covering opponents that were slightly, if not significantly, bigger.
Golden State’s approach has always been driven by small-ball, but this was found out against the Timberwolves. This led the Warriors to come to an understanding that they needed to add length in virtually every position.
While the team has been linked with several players, even superstars, who could fulfill this, acquiring Jarred Vanderbilt might be a solid start in this direction.
Vanderbilt routinely drew upon the task of guarding the opposing team’s best player. His length and athleticism allow him to seamlessly switch and guard multiple positions. He also boasts impressive defensive instincts that allow him to shut down passing lanes and steal the ball.
He also records a reasonable average of 5.1 rebounds per game, offering up an option as a presence under the basket to secure possessions and loose balls.
Apart from Vanderbilt, the Warriors also gain some much-needed draft capital. These include the Lakers’ No. 55 pick in this year’s draft, along with the Hawks’ 2028 first-round pick and 2030 second-rounder.
The 2028 first-round pick could prove to be promising as it gives the team some flexibility for building through the draft. On the flip side, having more assets gives the Warriors some latitude while making a run at acquiring more talent via trades.
The Warriors are currently at a transitional stage. The window for their core of Curry, Green, and Butler is closing fast. While they need to prioritize winning right away, they may also need to keep enough insurance for when they decide to rebuild.
The Lakers Will Finally Have A Legitimate Center
One of the biggest problems the Lakers faced, in the regular season and the playoffs, was their lack of a legitimate center. While they made do with a youngster like Jaxson Hayes, it was made clear that the team simply did not have the kind of center that would make an impact.
The Lakers’ intentions to acquire a big man in the offseason were made clear almost immediately after they were eliminated. Due to this approach, the team has been linked with several candidates as well. But this trade could aid in solving their immediate concerns.
The acquisition of Clint Capela would do wonders for the Lakers’ frontcourt rotation. Capela is a solid traditional big man, just the kind the Purple and Gold need.
He is a strong rebounder and efficient scorer under the basket. His averages of 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game from last season don’t do him justice, as he saw his minutes average reduced to 21.4 per game.
Paired with Luka Doncic on the pick-and-roll, Capela would easily slide into the dunker’s spot off the roll, freeing up Doncic to scan for options on the perimeter as well. The Hawks’ center also helps in increasing the Lakers’ rebounding numbers, which had taken a massive hit during the series against Minnesota.
It is important to note that Capela will technically be a free agent in the offseason. The Lakers would simply be able to acquire him as part of the mid-level taxpayer exception in this case.
The only downside to signing Capela is that he is 31 years old. While additionally considering that he suffered an injury and missed the last stretch of the regular season, it may be a bit of a risk for the Lakers.
The other piece that Los Angeles will acquire in this proposed trade is Terance Mann. Mann doesn’t offer much on the scoring front other than limited perimeter shooting and slashing. However, his upside lies on the defensive front.
His regular-season average of 7.7 points per game on 49.6% FG and 36.8% from the three-point line is a clear expression of what the team can expect from him.
Mann has showcased a lot of talent as a two-way player and perimeter defender. This could be of importance to the Lakers as they give up Vanderbilt in this trade. And at $15.5 million with three years left on his contract, Mann isn’t the most expensive pick-up either.
The trade proposal provides the Lakers with some key assets that could set them off in the right direction. The team must continue to develop their overall roster depth if they intend to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.
