The Los Angeles Lakers can undoubtedly make a deep postseason run this season, but luckily if they fall short, the future remains bright.
This is because of the lopsided blockbuster trade that brought 27-year-old Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić to Los Angeles. The focus for the Lakers after this year’s NBA playoffs will be to construct a strong roster around Dončić, which potentially includes a forward playing for one of their Western Conference rivals.
Lakers Predicted To Acquire Dillon Brooks
The Phoenix Suns have overachieved this year after losing superstar forward Kevin Durant last offseason. Much of that credit, of course, belongs to guard Devin Booker, but star forward Dillon Brooks also deserves recognition.
He is averaging a career-high 20.6 points to go along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals on 43.8% shooting and 34.3% shooting from three-point range in 51 games played. Bleacher Report predicts the Lakers could acquire Brooks in a major trade, proposing the following deal:
Lakers Receive: Dillon Brooks
Suns Receive: Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, 2026 first-round pick (projected No. 25 overall)
“If LeBron James leaves the Lakers in free agency, the team will need a new starting power forward,” B/R’s Greg Swartz wrote. “As hilarious as it would be for Brooks to join forces with James, he’d still be a great fit as a defender and complementary scorer next to Luka Dončić. As a team mostly led by 20-somethings, the Suns stock up on additional young talent and get back into the first round of the 2026 draft.”
The Lakers may be hesitant to part ways with picks, especially in a deal for a player who’s never been an All-Star. However, Brooks’ impact on both ends of the floor makes him valuable to a team with a superstar who isn’t known for his defensive ability. Dončić’s skillset allows him to mesh with virtually anyone, so Brooks’ on-court fit in Los Angeles wouldn’t be much of a concern.
The Suns aren’t getting much in return for Brooks in this scenario outside of the 2026 first-rounder. LaRavia and Knecht are solid rotational pieces, but won’t bring Phoenix any closer to contending with Booker at the helm.
