The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a splash in the upcoming NBA season. At least they should be, or they could eventually lose star Luka Doncic.
Related: Luka Doncic expects to “win-now” with Lakers
The Lakers’ roster may not be strong enough to win a title as currently constructed. According to NBA insider Jovan Buha, the Lakers could trade four players soon.
TOP NEWS
“The Lakers can still make a move, and that’s what you mentioned in your tweet. They still have their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick, and they’ve got the expiring contracts of Rui [Hachimura], Gabe [Vincent], and Maxi [Kleber]. They also have Dalton Knecht, so there is a move to be made this summer.
“That said, I still think there are limitations to how much they can actually improve. It seems like they’re trying to keep their first-round pick for 2026 or 2027, possibly with the intention of making a bigger trade down the road, one where they’d have multiple picks to offer.
“Right now, they also have a second-rounder they can move. But if we’re talking about a trade package of just Rui, Gabe, Maxi, Dalton, and a second, or some combination of those pieces, I don’t think you’re getting anything great or a meaningful upgrade.
“To really get something of substance, it would probably require including a first-rounder. If they’re willing to put that first on the table and truly go for it with all their tradeable assets, then yeah, I think they can find something that upgrades this roster.”
The Lakers almost have to make a move if they want to compete with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
