The Los Angeles Lakers need to focus on pushing for the 2024-25 NBA championship because superstar LeBron James is 40 years old and won’t be able to compete as a top-10 talent in the NBA for much longer. Even Anthony Davis, at 31 years old, is having a sensational season but he needs a little more help despite the improved presence of Austin Reaves. Luckily for the Lakers, they have enticing pieces that other teams would love to have in trade talks and it seems JJ Redick is directly involved in that process.
The Lakers have placed LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the only untouchables and that means every other player on the roster is available in trade talks if it means getting the three types of players the Lakers need such as an offensive superstar, two-way role player, or a new starting center. The Purple and Gold have done decently well this season, holding a 24-18 record and avoiding the play-in spot, but if James and Davis have concerns about the roster, something has to be done.
Still, at least according to Anthony Davis, they could be one major acquisition from being the favorite to come out of the Western Conference. We have ranked the Lakers’ best potential trade targets before the February 6th deadline along with what a package could look like for each of them.
Trae Young
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)
The Lakers acquiring Trae Young would be a blockbuster move that shakes up the Western Conference. Young is averaging 23.1 PPG and 11.6 APG this season and would immediately take pressure off LeBron James as a primary playmaker, and it is no wonder why JJ Redick is a big fan of the All-Star point guard.
His deep shooting range and elite pick-and-roll game would pair well with Anthony Davis, creating a deadly inside-out duo. However, Young’s defensive limitations could put more pressure on the Lakers’ already inconsistent defense, currently ranked 18th in the league.
The trade package is steep but reasonable. Austin Reaves’ breakout season (18.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 36.2% 3PT) makes him a valuable piece, and Rui Hachimura’s size and versatility (12.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG) would appeal to the Hawks. Giving up multiple key role players and a future first-round pick is a heavy price, but if the Lakers are all-in on winning while LeBron and AD are in their prime, this deal is worth exploring.
Zach LaVine
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Christie, 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Zach LaVine is one of the best scoring guards in the league, averaging 24.0 PPG on 51.4% shooting this season. His athleticism and ability to create his own shot would make him a dynamic offensive weapon for the Lakers, especially in crunch time. It has been reported that the Lakers have had discussions with the Bulls on LaVine, and it might be time something materializes.
However, LaVine’s large contract ($45,999,660 next season) and defensive struggles might give the Lakers pause, particularly given their current net rating of -2.0. However, the Lakers need to acquire a third star player and no one can deny that LaVine would be an upgrade over Reaves.
The proposed trade sends significant depth to Chicago, including Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, who provide size and defensive versatility. Max Christie’s potential as a young 3-and-D guard also sweetens the deal. While LaVine would improve the Lakers’ 18th-ranked offense (111.2 PPG), his arrival would come at the cost of the team’s flexibility and depth. Still, if Rob Pelinka prioritizes star power, this deal could become a reality.
DeMar DeRozan
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, 2031 First-Round Pick
DeMar DeRozan would bring mid-range mastery and veteran leadership to the Lakers, and the former All-Star might have worn out his welcome in Sacramento after failing to make the Kings competitive after his major free agency decision to join them. Averaging 21.8 PPG on 48.2% shooting, DeRozan remains an elite scorer in isolation and clutch situations.
DeRozan’s ability to take over games in the fourth quarter would reduce the wear and tear on LeBron James during the regular season. However, his lack of three-point shooting (32.7% this season) could hurt the Lakers’ floor spacing, especially with Anthony Davis operating in the paint. Still, despite DeRozan’s flaws, Lakers legend Magic Johnson had to admit that the team had a deal nearly done for the star a few years ago.
The Kings, meanwhile, would gain a young, versatile forward in Rui Hachimura and a promising prospect in Max Christie. Adding a future first-round pick ensures Sacramento gets value as they aim to build around De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. While DeRozan’s fit isn’t perfect, his experience and scoring ability could be the spark the Lakers need to become legitimate title contenders.
Walker Kessler And Collin Sexton
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton
Utah Jazz Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht
Walker Kessler’s elite shot-blocking (2.4 BPG) and rebounding (11.5 RPG) would solidify the Lakers’ interior defense, giving Anthony Davis more freedom to roam defensively and revert back to his favored power forward position. Pairing Kessler with AD would create one of the league’s most intimidating defensive duos, and Lakers fans probably wouldn’t mind sacrificing key assets such as Dalton Knecht to acquire the big man.
Amazingly, it has even been reported that the Lakers were close to acquiring Kessler a few months ago but have yet to pull the trigger. Additionally, Collin Sexton (18.3 PPG on 41.3% from three) would also bolster the Lakers’ bench scoring, adding much-needed offensive firepower in non-LeBron minutes. No doubt, this deal would make Davis the happiest person on the Lakers because that twin-towers pairing would be tough for opposing teams to handle.
This trade package is relatively modest compared to other proposals, with Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht heading to Utah. While Hachimura’s versatility is a loss, Kessler’s defensive impact and Sexton’s scoring make this a win-now move for Los Angeles. The Jazz, focused on developing their young core, would view Hachimura as a long-term asset while freeing up more minutes for Ochai Agbaji and Keyonte George.
Jonas Valanciunas And Malcolm Brogdon
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon
Washington Wizards Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent
The Lakers are still keeping tabs on Jonas Valanciunas because the big man would provide the Lakers with a traditional big man who can rebound (8.2 RPG) and score efficiently in the post (11.6 PPG). Malcolm Brogdon, averaging 13.8 PPG and 3.9 APG, offers steady playmaking and three-point shooting (38.9% career 3PT), making him a perfect fit for the Lakers’ backcourt.
Similar to the Kessler trade, Davis would be more than happy to see a big man come to Los Angeles so he can return to his favored power forward position. While Valanciunas isn’t the most mobile big man, he is a big body, and having Brogdon space the floor and move the ball would be great for the Lakers as well. Both players bring veteran experience, which is invaluable in a playoff setting.
Considering the Washington Wizards are arguably the worst team in the NBA without much of a franchise core, moving two veterans for Hachimura, the promising Vanderbilt, and the role-playing Vincent could be enough to get a deal done.
Anfernee Simons And Robert Williams III
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams III, Toumania Camara
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2031 First-Round Pick
We have previously brought forth an idea for the Lakers to acquire a talented core of players from the rebuilding Trail Blazers, specifically three new players for a package of four and a first-round pick. Specifically, the Lakers would land a young scoring guard in Anfernee Simons (18.2 PPG on 36.6% from three) and a defensive anchor in Robert Williams III (5.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG), who brings elite rim protection and rebounding.
Simons’ ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor makes him a perfect complement to LeBron and AD, while Williams would solidify the Lakers’ interior defense. Davis gets a new big man to play alongside while LeBron gets another shooter to trust the ball to when he attacks the rim.
Meanwhile, Portland gains several assets, including promising rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2031 first-round pick. While the Blazers would part with two valuable players, this trade aligns with their long-term rebuild around Scoot Henderson. For the Lakers, this trade improves both their offense and defense, giving them a balanced roster for a deep playoff run.
Bruce Brown
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Bruce Brown
Toronto Raptors Receive: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino
It has been reported that the Lakers are monitoring Bruce Brown’s situation in Toronto, and we have presented two different trade scenarios for this partnership to happen. Bruce Brown’s versatility and championship experience make him a perfect fit for the Lakers. Averaging 8.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.3 APG, Brown is a two-way wing who can guard multiple positions and hit clutch shots.
Brown’s ability to play off the ball would complement LeBron and AD, while his defensive intensity would bolster the Lakers’ perimeter defense. As a former NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets, Brown proved to be an invaluable role player and he could play a similar role for the Lakers.
The Raptors, in return, get Jalen Hood-Schifino, a promising youngster, and two rotation players in Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. While this trade wouldn’t make headlines, it would provide the Lakers with a dependable role player who knows what it takes to win a championship, making it a sneaky but impactful move.
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