The Los Angeles Lakers are likely to have several options on the trade market this offseason as they seek to fill out their roster and become legitimate championship contenders next season. With a number of teams expected to be open to moving players, the Lakers may be able to find the right pieces to make a deep playoff run.
Potential Trade Targets
New Orleans Pelicans
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, there are no untouchables on the New Orleans Pelicans’ roster this summer. This has led some analysts, including Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll, to suggest that the Lakers target:
- Herbert Jones
- Trey Murphy III
Both Jones and Murphy are 3-and-D wings who could provide a much-needed boost on defense for the Lakers. As Rob Pelinka noted in his exit interview, defensive wings are a key area of need for the team. Murphy’s scoring ability—he averaged 21.2 points per game last season—makes him an attractive target.
However, Murphy is set to sign an extension worth $25 million annually starting next year, which could make him more expensive than other options available via trade.
Center Options
For centers, one potential option is Aaron Gordon from Denver, but he would cost too much money given LA’s limited cap space after signing LeBron James through 2028. Two other possibilities for centers include:
- Yves Missi (under contract until 2027 at just over $3M/year)
- Kelly Olynyk (due around $13M/year before becoming an unrestricted free agent after next season)
The Pelicans’ willingness to move players could also lead them into discussions with other teams about trading Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson in separate deals or together as part of larger packages involving multiple teams.
Los Angeles Clippers
In addition to potential targets from New Orleans, the Los Angeles Clippers may also have some interest in making moves this offseason. They’ve been linked with several free agents already, including:
- Collin Sexton (provides scoring off the bench)
- Jakob Poeltl (offers size inside against bigger opponents)
While neither player fits perfectly into what LA needs most defensively, they both bring value that can’t be ignored, especially considering how thin the Lakers were down low last year without Ivica Zubac playing center full-time.
Clippers GM Zach Wilson has stated publicly that he wants his team back near a top-10 level defensively, so it will be interesting to see if they try adding any more pieces like Sexton or Poeltl, who don’t necessarily fit their ideal profile but still offer something valuable.
Additional Center Options
Another possibility for centers includes Mason Plumlee from Denver, who has been linked with several teams already, including Portland where he played previously. Plumlee brings size inside along with rebounding ability, which would help alleviate some pressure off Zubac. However, it remains unclear if Denver will let Plumlee go given how well Jokic played without him last year.
If not, another option might include Wendell Carter Jr. from the Orlando Magic, who was traded by Chicago during All-Star weekend along with Mo Bamba for Franz Wagner and Gary Harris. Carter Jr.’s athleticism allows him to defend bigger opponents better than most big men his size, making him very appealing, especially since Zubac struggled defending those types at times last season.
However, like Plumlee, it remains unclear if Orlando will let Carter Jr. go, given how well they performed without losing either player all year long despite injuries plaguing them throughout the entire campaign.
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