As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to make a serious run, led by the superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic under the strategic eye of JJ Redick. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, but a few carefully chosen additions could help push them from contenders to genuine championship favorites. With LeBron and Luka orchestrating the offense, the Lakers have the opportunity to build a roster around them that can make a run to the Finals. Who could put it past them?
That said, not all All-Stars are a perfect fit, and the Lakers must be careful in their pursuits. Trading for a big-name player might look enticing on paper, but it could come at the cost of chemistry, depth, and key contributors like Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura. In this landscape, more isn’t always better. Here are three All-Stars the Lakers should avoid targeting, no matter how tempting it might be, if they want to preserve the foundation of a team capable of contending in 2026.
Zach LaVine
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine, Isaac Jones, Terence Davis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round pick
Zach LaVine is undeniably a high-octane scorer (23.3 PPG on 44.6% 3-PT FG) and would bring instant excitement to Los Angeles. His ability to create off the dribble, hit deep threes, and make highlight-reel plays would energize the fan base and give LeBron and Luka another offensive weapon. On paper, swapping the 30-year-old for Austin Reaves might seem like an upgrade in pure scoring, but basketball isn’t just about points.
The cost of acquiring LaVine is steep. Losing Rui Hachimura would rob the Lakers of critical size, defensive versatility, and rim protection, while Isaac Jones wouldn’t adequately fill that gap. Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent leaving also chips away at depth and team chemistry. In a Western Conference loaded with elite wings and defensive-minded squads, adding another scorer without shoring up defense is a risky deal.
Ultimately, LaVine might be flashy and make for must-see TV, but he isn’t the right trade for the Lakers. The team’s strength lies in its balance, and trading key contributors for another scorer could disrupt that equilibrium. Keeping Reaves and Hachimura preserves both defensive versatility and the supporting cast that allows LeBron and Luka to thrive.
Nic Claxton
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt
Nic Claxton is an intriguing option for the Lakers, offering agility, shot-blocking, and lob-catching ability that could complement the team’s offensive stars. Compared to Deandre Ayton, Claxton is more mobile and could create mismatches in pick-and-roll situations, while protecting the rim with his timing and athleticism. For a team looking to improve defensively in the paint, the 26-year-old certainly brings appealing qualities since he posted 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on 56.3% shooting last season.
However, the trade comes at a high cost. Losing Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a 2031 first-round pick for Claxton would be a heavy price for a player who doesn’t provide much scoring on his own. At 215 pounds, he isn’t a dominant enforcer either, limiting his impact in physical matchups. While Claxton could be a defensive upgrade, the Lakers would sacrifice valuable two-way pieces and future flexibility.
In the end, Claxton might offer incremental defensive improvements, but he doesn’t solve the Lakers’ bigger roster needs. Ayton already provides size and scoring, and adding Claxton wouldn’t dramatically change the team’s ceiling. Losing core contributors like Hachimura for a moderate upgrade in the frontcourt isn’t a trade worth making.
DeMar DeRozan
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt
DeMar DeRozan is a proven scorer (22.2 PPG on 47.7% FG last season) and clutch performer, capable of taking over games in critical moments. His mid-range mastery, efficiency in isolation, and veteran experience could give the Lakers an offensive advantage in tight games. On the surface, pairing DeRozan with LeBron and Luka sounds like a formidable trio.
But the trade demands are steep and potentially damaging. Trading Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt would remove size, defensive versatility, and athleticism from the Lakers’ core. At 36, DeRozan also represents a short-term solution with limited long-term upside, while Rui, at 27, offers years of prime-level production. Losing these younger assets for a scorer, even one as reliable as DeRozan, would be unnecessary.
For the Lakers, this move is simply too extreme. While DeRozan could enhance late-game scoring, the cost of losing key two-way players outweighs the benefits. Maintaining depth, defense, and youth around LeBron and Luka remains the smarter path to contending in the Western Conference, making this trade ill-advised.
