The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the unthinkable before this season by bringing in Luka Doncic to pair with LeBron James, and it paid off. The team surged to a 50-32 finish, locking down the No. 3 seed in a loaded Western Conference and are ready as a legitimate title threat.
But as the postseason begins, there’s one glaring hole on this otherwise loaded roster: the absence of a capable starting-caliber center. With Anthony Davis gone and Jaxson Hayes proving to be more of a spot starter than a foundational piece, the Lakers need to get aggressive again.
Enter our proposed three-team blockbuster that would send Wendell Carter Jr. and John Collins to Los Angeles, addressing the frontcourt gap with a blend of interior toughness, floor spacing, and youth.
Rui Hachimura heads to the Jazz, where he can grow in a bigger role, while Orlando picks up intriguing rookie Dalton Knecht, veteran stretch big Maxi Kleber, and a future second-rounder. It’s the kind of aggressive, win-now move the Lakers have thrived on, and it could be the key to maximizing the Luka-LeBron pairing while it lasts.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Wendell Carter Jr., John Collins
Utah Jazz Receive: Rui Hachimura
Orlando Magic Receive: Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
Lakers Complete Their Superteam For 2025-26 Season
If the Lakers land both Wendell Carter Jr. and John Collins in this deal, it will be a full-on arms race. With LeBron James entering Year 23 and Luka Doncic fresh off an MVP-caliber season (28.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 7.7 APG, 45.0 FG%), L.A. is going all in to win now.
Wendell Carter Jr. isn’t a superstar, but he’s exactly what this team needs: a low-maintenance, switchable big who shot 23.4% from three and held his own defensively in 25.9 minutes per game this year. Add in Collins, who quietly put up 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 52.7% shooting for Utah—and suddenly, the Lakers have solved their frontcourt depth and versatility in one swing.
This isn’t about creating another “Big Three,” it’s about forming a complete team around two generational offensive engines. Carter Jr. offers floor spacing and defensive IQ to thrive alongside Luka’s pick-and-roll mastery.
Collins gives them an athletic rim-runner who can play both the 4 and 5, giving JJ Redick the kind of versatility he lacked after Anthony Davis’ departure. More importantly, both are young enough (Carter’s 26, Collins is 27) to bridge the transition from the LeBron era to the Luka-led future.
And don’t overlook the chemistry component. This move would likely push Jaxson Hayes back into a bench role, where he’s far more comfortable, and allow Austin Reaves to continue to prosper as a budding All-Star.
The Lakers would be deeper, more balanced, and significantly more matchup-proof heading into 2025-26. After years of top-heavy rosters and injury gambles, this could be Rob Pelinka’s smartest, most complete roster build to date.
Utah Jazz Continue Their Long-Term Rebuild
This is the kind of subtle play that rebuilds quietly successful franchises. The Jazz part ways with John Collins (19.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG), who was solid but didn’t quite fit their long-term frontcourt vision, and get back Rui Hachimura, a 27-year-old wing who still has untapped scoring potential.
Rui averaged 13.1 points on 50.9% shooting in 31.7 minutes per game this season, and when given a consistent role, he’s shown flashes of being a reliable 15 PPG scorer with size and touch. Utah can now give him the green light offensively, without the pressure of title contention.
But more than just Rui, the Jazz clear out Collins’ contract and open up developmental minutes for Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks—two bigs who need reps. This trade signals Utah is leaning even further into their rebuild, which already features Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and a likely 2025 lottery pick.
It’s about clarity, not just talent. By getting younger, more flexible, and trimming payroll, Utah gives itself breathing room to develop without the clutter of overlapping veterans.
Also worth noting: Rui’s contract is still team-friendly enough to be moved again if the Jazz pivot midseason. He’s owed $18.3 million next season and can be packaged later for picks or young talent if his value spikes.
Utah isn’t trying to win 50 games next year, but they are setting themselves up to be a budding team again by 2027. And in the West, patience is a weapon not every team can afford to wield—but the Jazz are doing it the right way.
Orlando Magic Add A Key Shooter To A Talented Roster
Dalton Knecht is exactly the kind of player the Magic needed this whole time: a high-motor, instant-offense wing who doesn’t need 20 shots to make an impact. The rookie put up 9.1 points per game on 46.1% from three in just 19.2 minutes a night, often swinging games in Los Angeles’ favor with his energy and spacing.
With Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero operating as the primary engines, Knecht gives them a reliable off-ball threat who’ll keep defenses honest. This isn’t just a depth add, it’s a legit playoff rotation upgrade.
Maxi Kleber may not move the needle in headlines, but in terms of basketball IQ and shooting at the 5, he’s still valuable. He only played 18.7 minutes per game this season and shot 26.5% from deep, but he might be able to return to his production in 2021 and 2022, when he posted at least 7.0 points per game.
With Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac already on board, adding Kleber gives Jamahl Mosley more lineup combinations for late-game offense. He won’t close games often, but his presence allows Orlando to stay modern.
The second-round pick sweetens the deal, but this trade is all about Knecht and what he brings to a team still growing into its identity. Orlando has built a long, switchy, defensive-minded core, but it’s lacked consistent outside shooting from the wings.
