The Los Angeles Lakers could very well decide to be buyers at this year’s trade deadline given it’s possible this is LeBron James’ final year with the team.
No matter what move the Lakers decide to make, it will focus on the Luka Dončić era rather than on James’ win-now timeline. Dončić is the future of the organization, and it’s hard to imagine L.A.’s front office doing anything to jeopardize that.
One Western Conference All-Star could perfectly bridge the gap between helping James compete this season and supporting Dončić down the road.
Lakers Predicted To Land Lauri Markkanen
All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen remains stuck on a Utah Jazz team not looking to compete right now. To change this, Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton predicts the Lakers could make a blockbuster trade for Markkanen ahead of next week’s trade deadline. The full proposed trade details are as follows:
Jazz receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick swap
Lakers receive: Lauri Markkanen, Cody Williams
This is a huge win for the Lakers despite them giving up a large amount of depth. Markkanen is far better than anyone Los Angeles is moving off in this deal and would allow coach JJ Redick to work with a ‘Big Four’ of Markkanen, Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves.
The Jazz big man is averaging 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 47.9% shooting and 36.4% shooting from three-point range. Giving Dončić and James the ability to attack the paint before kicking it out to Markkanen on the arc would be a terrifying combination.
Not to mention, his four-year, $195 million contract that began this season allows him to help James compete for a final title while also sticking around for the Dončić-led years.
For the Jazz, Hutton explained why they would agree to this deal, writing, “Los Angeles can offer a compelling haul to Utah, centered around the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, which will clear up roughly $40.7 million from the books following the end of the season.”
It’s unclear how aggressive the Lakers will be at this year’s trade deadline, but a move for Markkanen would be huge for their chances of emerging victorious in the loaded Western Conference.
