The Los Angeles Lakers are in the news this summer for not making any significant changes to their roster and are running it back with the same core around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The competition in the Western Conference will be very high in the 2024-25 season and the Lakers might need more help on the court, but that doesn’t mean that they are desperate. Rather, the Lakers will find themselves in a position to refuse a monster 3-team trade that we propose this summer.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Saddiq Bey, Corey Kispert
Detroit Pistons Receive: Rui Hachimura
Washington Wizards Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
As the Los Angeles Lakers approach the 2024-25 NBA season, they are in a unique position where any potential trade must significantly boost their chances of winning a championship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge. The proposed three-team trade involving Jonas Valanciunas, Saddiq Bey, and Corey Kispert does not meet that criterion, making it a deal the Lakers would immediately refuse.
Why Would The Lakers Immediately Refuse This Trade?
1. No Logic in Giving Up Valuable Picks for Role Players
The Lakers have been incredibly cautious with their draft capital, knowing that future picks could be instrumental in landing an All-Star talent to complement LeBron and Anthony Davis. In this proposed trade, the Lakers are sending out a 2029 first-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick. This makes little sense given the return package.
While Valanciunas is a solid center who averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season, and Bey (13.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG) and Kispert (13.4 PPG, 38.3% from three) are promising shooters, none of these players move the needle significantly enough to justify giving up a future first-rounder. The Lakers should only part with first-round picks to acquire All-Star-level talent like Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, or even Zach LaVine, players who could be the difference-makers in a deep playoff run.
2. Rui Hachimura Has Proven His Value
Rui Hachimura became a critical piece of the Lakers’ playoff rotation last season, particularly with his scoring ability and defensive versatility. Hachimura averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 53.7% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range during the regular season.
Trading Hachimura for a package centered around role players like Saddiq Bey and Corey Kispert, who have yet to prove themselves in high-stakes situations, does not align with the Lakers’ win-now strategy. Hachimura has already demonstrated he can deliver in big moments, and that value far outweighs what is coming back in this trade.
3. Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis Have Upside
The Lakers have invested in their future with recent draft picks like Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, who could turn into valuable assets as the season progresses. Hood-Schifino, the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is a talented guard with excellent size (6’6″) and a knack for playmaking. Maxwell Lewis, a second-round pick, has also shown flashes of potential as a versatile wing.
Both players provide the Lakers with affordable, young talent that could either develop into rotational pieces or serve as valuable trade chips in a more impactful deal before the February trade deadline. Including them in this trade package makes little sense, especially when there is a possibility they could be used in a more strategic move down the line.
4. The Lakers Are Not Desperate to Make Moves
Despite the Western Conference becoming more competitive, the Lakers have confidence in their current core. With LeBron James still performing at an elite level (25.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.3 APG) and Anthony Davis anchoring the defense (24.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG), the team has already proven it can compete with the best.
The addition of key role players like Austin Reaves (15.9 PPG, 48.6% FG) and the re-signing of other contributors has solidified their depth. The front office’s stance appears clear: only make a move if it elevates them to title favorites, not just for incremental upgrades. This proposed trade does not achieve that, and for that reason, the Lakers would immediately turn it down.
