The Los Angeles Lakers are once again movers and shakers in the trade market as they make their push toward another playoff appearance.
The Lakers have had their eye on several pieces to ADD to their team, reporting suggests they are the most interested party in acquiring the Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, and also in the market for Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe and bringing back former Laker and current Wizards’ forward Kyle Kuzma.
But in trades, it takes two to tango. According to the latest NBA trade rumors, they have three players they are willing to include in trades to get the dance party going. NBA Insider Michael Scotto lays it out in his recent article for Hoops Hype.
Who Are The Lakers Willing To Trade
NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe two future Lakers first-round draft picks in 2029 and 2031 are the team’s most coveted trade assets, given the Stepien Rule. The Lakers can trade two unprotected first-round picks and three swaps overall. In addition to those draft picks, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent will be discussed on the trade market.
Coming off his two best shooting seasons from beyond the arc, Russell struggled out of the gate under new coach JJ Redick and was moved to the bench. After being dangled in trade talks last season, most notably for Dejounte Murray, Russell, the third-highest-paid Laker on an $18.69 million expiring contract, will hear his name in the rumor mill again.
Hachimura has been a consistent starter since February last season, with the best three-point percentage of his career. He’s owed $35.26 million through the 2025-26 season, making him an attractive piece to any trade package.
Vincent has been a disappointment for the Lakers since signing a three-year, $33 million deal due to injuries and inefficient shooting. Los Angeles will look to include him as a salary filler with draft pick compensation in trade talks.
It is apparent sitting in the ninth seed in the Western Conference that the amalgam of players surrounding LeBron James and Anthony Davis aren’t coming together under Reddick’s leadership. With the bench scoring near the bottom of the league they can’t afford to push these moves to the trade deadline in February.
