The Los Angeles Lakers roster, despite having LeBron James and Luka Dončić, isn’t complete yet. Though many view the Lakers as a playoff team, there’s debate about whether it’s enough to clinch another title.
But padding their roster with players capable of generating their own plays alongside Dončić and James won’t be easy. Not only do the Lakers need someone with ample floor coverage, but they also need someone young to complement Dončić’s style.
Can the Lakers Pull Off Another Successful Trade This Year?
As suggested by Fadeaway World’s Siddhant Gupta, the Lakers could aim for veteran forward Lauri Markkanen. The Utah Jazz star, proven to be a capable playmaker, has been on the trade radar for quite some time.
According to Gupta, the Lakers would receive Markkanen, while the Jazz would receive Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick.
“Markkanen is an exceptional talent. The 28-year-old has showcased his potential to carry an offense at EuroBasket, leading Finland to the semifinals of the tournament,” Gupta wrote.
“At seven feet tall, Markkanen’s athleticism, agility, and floor-spacing ability make him an asset to any team. With the Lakers, these traits would shine next to playmakers like Doncic and James.”
Lauri Markkanen rallies the Finnish fans with their traditional chant ❤️🇫🇮🗣️
Finland reaches the @EuroBasket semifinals for the first time in history!
Watch all the EuroBasket action live on @courtside1891: https://t.co/fPC0xWqtRn pic.twitter.com/gcodaJIEzc
— NBA (@NBA) September 10, 2025
That being said, Markkanen has had a slow season with the Jazz. In 2024-25, he averaged 19 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from the three-point line. He averaged over 20 in both of the previous seasons with the Jazz.
If the Jazz continue to focus on other players and a potential rebuild, Markkanen might benefit from being on an active roster. Of course, the Lakers must be mindful of injuries and play Markkanen smartly while hoping he finds his tempo.
But the Lakers might not be able to afford Markkanen. With a $46.3 million cap hit, they would have to part with key players like Rui Hachimura to sign the Jazz star.
Markkanen is signed to a four-year, $195,868,144 contract with the Jazz.
The Lakers could also trade for Andrew Wiggins or Trey Murphy III.
Is Andrew Wiggins a Good Fit For the Lakers?
Apart from Markkanen, analysts have also linked the Lakers to the Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins. In a recent podcast episode, Lakers reporter Jovan Buha spoke about the Lakers and Wiggins, describing him as a player they need alongside James and Dončic.
“If the Lakers were to get Andrew Wiggins, or a player of that ilk, a player of that archetype–I think that’s the ideal player to put besides Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves,” Buha said.
Now, Wiggins can guard multiple positions while scoring effectively–which would relieve some pressure on James and others on the roster. Overall, Wiggins could be the real two-way wing the Lakers need right now.
Focusing their energy on developing around Dončic, the Lakers have months to prove their mettle before the playoffs arrive.
