The Lakers’ offseason has been a rollercoaster of little highs and quite some lows. After striking out on landing any big-name free agents, they’re heading into the new season with almost the same roster that got bounced in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Despite keeping their core intact, there’s a lingering feeling that they’re still missing the right pieces to truly contend. This four-team mock trade could be the shake-up they need, bringing in Bruce Brown and Cole Anthony to add versatility and depth. With these additions, the Lakers might finally have the balance needed to make a deep postseason run. Meanwhile, this deal also offers intriguing benefits for the Pelicans, Magic, and Raptors, making it a win-win scenario across the board.
Mock Trade:
Lakers receive: Bruce Brown, Cole Anthony, 2025 First-Round Pick (via Magic)
Pelicans receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Max Lewis, 2026 First-Round Pick (Raptors via Pacers), 2028 First-Round Pick (via Raptors)
Magic receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jaxson Hayes
Raptors receive: Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado
A Great Blend Of Defense And Playmaking For The Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers‘ offseason hasn’t exactly been a blockbuster, but that doesn’t mean they’re not working behind the scenes to make some moves. After last season’s first-round exit, it’s clear they need more than just LeBron and AD carrying the load. One trade idea that’s floating around involves them grabbing Bruce Brown from the Raptors and Cole Anthony from the Magic. These two could bring exactly what the Lakers need—some grit on defense and a playmaker who doesn’t need the ball all the time.
Bruce Brown is the kind of player every contender like the Lakers wants. The Raptors have been shopping him around, and it’s easy to see why teams are interested. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game last season, but his impact goes way beyond the stat sheet. Brown’s versatility on defense is his calling card—he can guard multiple positions, something the Lakers could really use. Think of him as the next Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for the Lakers, a guy who does the dirty work on defense while also contributing offensively when needed. Plus, he’s got that championship experience from his time with the Nuggets in 2023, which is huge for a team like the Lakers that’s looking to make another deep playoff run.
Then there’s Cole Anthony, who averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season. He’s a different kind of player from D’Angelo Russell, and that’s a good thing. D-Lo needs the ball in his hands to be effective, which sometimes clashed with LeBron’s game. Anthony, on the other hand, is more of a pure playmaker—he’s quick, makes smart decisions, and doesn’t need to dominate the ball. That’s perfect for a team like the Lakers, where LeBron and AD are the primary offensive weapons. With Anthony, they could run more smoothly on offense, with less ball-stopping and more flow.
Bringing in Brown and Anthony could be exactly what the Lakers need to go from a team that’s good on paper to one that’s actually dangerous in the playoffs. Brown’s defense and Anthony’s playmaking would fill the gaps that were all too obvious last season, giving the Lakers a much better shot at a deep playoff run this time around.
The Pelicans Find Their Center Of The Future
The New Orleans Pelicans Pelicans have had a bit of a rough time filling the center position this offseason. With Jonas Valanciunas heading to the Wizards, they’ve been left scrambling to find a reliable big man to anchor their frontcourt. Sure, they’ve got Daniel Theis and rookie Yvess Missi from this year’s draft, but there’s still a gap that needs to be filled if they want to stay competitive in the West. That’s where Wendell Carter Jr. comes in, potentially arriving from Orlando as a major upgrade in the paint.
Carter Jr. would be a fantastic addition to a Pelicans squad that already has an impressive lineup with Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. What makes Carter Jr. such a great fit is his all-around game. He’s not just a traditional big who clogs the lane; he’s a versatile center who can score, rebound, and defend at a high level. Last season with the Magic, Carter averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and his defensive presence would complement Zion perfectly, giving the Pelicans a dynamic frontcourt duo.
On the Magic side, they’re absolutely loaded with big men, so it makes sense for them to move on from Carter Jr. and clear up some space. Orlando already has Mo Wagner, Goga Bitadze, and even Paolo Banchero, who can play minutes at the center spot when needed. With that many bodies in the paint, Carter Jr. is kind of the odd man out. Moving him to New Orleans would not only help the Pelicans but also allow the Magic to focus on developing their other young bigs without the logjam.
For the Pelicans, adding Carter Jr. would solidify their starting five and give them a strong defensive anchor, something that’s been missing since Valančiūnas left. Pairing him with Zion could be a game-changer, as Carter Jr.’s ability to space the floor would give Zion more room to operate inside. Plus, with Ingram and McCollum handling much of the perimeter scoring, Carter Jr. wouldn’t have to shoulder a heavy offensive load, allowing him to focus on defense and rebounding.
Overall, Wendell Carter Jr. could be the perfect piece to complete the Pelicans’ puzzle. With him and two future first rounders, they’d have a balanced roster capable of making some serious noise in the West. It’s a move that makes sense for both teams, and it could be just what the Pelicans need to take that next step.
More Veteran Help For The Revamped Magic
The Orlando Magic have been making some strong moves this offseason to build on last year’s playoff success. They locked in Franz Wagner with a five-year, $224 million extension, which can potentially reach up to $269 million with incentives. Wagner’s extension solidifies him as a key piece of the Magic’s future.
They also made a significant addition by signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $66 million deal. KCP’s contract includes a player option for the final year. His experience and ability to knock down threes—he shot 40.6% from beyond the arc last season—will provide the Magic with the outside shooting and perimeter defense they need to complement their young core.
The Magic were also reportedly eyeing D’Angelo Russell as a potential trade target. Last season, Russell averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and shot 41.5% from three-point range while playing for the Lakers. Russell picked up his $18.7 million player option, making him an intriguing candidate for teams looking to add scoring and playmaking on an expiring deal.
Adding Russell to a lineup that includes Wagner, Banchero, Caldwell-Pope, and Jalen Suggs could give the Magic the veteran presence they need to make a deeper playoff run. Russell’s ability to space the floor and create offense will be a perfect fit for a team looking to take the next step. Additionally, acquiring Jaxson Hayes from the Lakers would add valuable depth to the frontcourt, ensuring the Magic have a solid rotation even if injuries strike.
With these moves, the Magic are positioning themselves as a team to watch in the Eastern Conference, blending veteran experience with their young, dynamic core.
The Raptors Get Young, Defensive Pieces For The Rebuild
As the Toronto Raptors continue their rebuild, they’re committed to maintaining the defensive identity that led them to an NBA Championship in 2019. With Scottie Barnes leading the charge, the Raptors are adding young, defensive-minded players who can help them stay competitive while developing their roster for the future.
One key addition could be Herb Jones, who averaged 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 76 games during the 2023-24 season. Jones is known for his defensive versatility, excelling both as a point-of-attack defender and as a wing defender. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute offensively by hitting threes makes him a great fit for the Raptors’ system. Pairing Jones with Barnes would create a formidable defensive duo, anchoring Toronto’s efforts on that end of the floor.
In addition to Jones, the Raptors could also bring in Jose Alvarado, who averaged 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 56 games last season. Alvarado’s relentless defense and high energy would make him an ideal backup to Immanuel Quickley, whom the Raptors extended this summer to be their point guard of the future. Alvarado’s defensive tenacity would complement Quickley’s offensive skills, providing the Raptors with a well-rounded backcourt.
With a potential starting lineup of Quickley, RJ Barrett, Herb Jones, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors would have one of the most gritty and underrated defensive units in the league. Even their bench would maintain this defensive intensity, featuring young, promising defenders like Alvarado, Davion Mitchell, Gradey Dick, and Ochai Agbaji. This group of players embodies the Raptors’ commitment to defense, positioning them as a tough, competitive team in the Eastern Conference.
This trade would not only strengthen the Raptors’ defensive identity but also set them up for a successful rebuild by adding young, high-potential players who align with their philosophy.