The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2025-26 season in familiar territory: talented enough to compete but vulnerable enough to crack. LeBron James is closer to the end than the beginning, Luka Dončić now carries the offensive engine full-time, and the Western Conference arms race shows no signs of slowing down. Against that backdrop, Rohan Brahmbhatt of Clutch Points has highlighted three under-the-radar trade targets LA should seriously consider: Dejounte Murray, Myles Turner, and Lauri Markkanen.
Top 3 Lakers Trade Targets
Dejounte Murray: The Guard the Lakers Have Been Chasing
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The revolving door of guards in Los Angeles has been a decade-long headache. Russell Westbrook didn’t work. D’Angelo Russell was hot and cold. Even Austin Reaves, steady as he’s been, isn’t a full-time perimeter shot creator. That’s where Dejounte Murray comes in.
The 2021 All-Star gives the Lakers something they badly lack: a two-way guard who doesn’t need the ball constantly to be effective. He can defend multiple positions, attack the rim, and provide a secondary scoring punch behind LeBron and Luka. And unlike some of the Lakers’ past guard experiments, Murray’s game actually complements LeBron’s—he can finish plays just as comfortably as he can initiate them.
The question is cost. New Orleans isn’t eager to give up Murray without significant draft capital, and the Lakers’ cupboard isn’t exactly overflowing. But if there’s ever a time to gamble, it’s while LeBron is still wearing purple and gold.
Myles Turner: The Ayton Insurance Policy
Deandre Ayton gives the Lakers size, rebounding, and rim protection—but the workload of playing center for 82 games (plus playoffs) takes its toll. For years, the Lakers have tried to patch this issue with short-term backup bigs. None have been the answer.
Myles Turner could be. He’s long been the archetype of the modern center Los Angeles covets: rim protector, floor-spacer, and defensive anchor. Pairing him with Ayton would give the Lakers flexibility—allowing Ayton to play with less wear and tear while maintaining elite defense and spacing.
The hurdle? Turner is rarely cheap, both in trade talks and in contract demands. Milwaukee, or any team holding his rights, knows exactly how valuable he is. But for the Lakers, the fit is too clean to ignore.
Lauri Markkanen: The Long-Term Swing
If the Lakers want to think beyond the LeBron window, Lauri Markkanen is the wildcard. The 7-footer has blossomed into an All-Star scorer in Utah, with size, shooting, and offensive versatility that would immediately transform the Lakers’ spacing.
He also represents something the Lakers have struggled with in recent years: sustainability. A trio of Dončić, Reaves, and Markkanen would give the franchise a competitive future once LeBron hangs it up. But prying Markkanen out of Utah would require a massive package—likely multiple picks and young talent. It’s the kind of deal that changes not just your present but your future.
The Bigger Picture
Each option represents a different lane. Murray is about the now, stabilizing the backcourt for LeBron’s last push. Turner is about balance, managing Ayton’s workload while raising the defensive floor. Markkanen is about the future, ensuring the Lakers don’t fade into irrelevance once LeBron leaves.
History suggests the Lakers will make a move—they’ve never been a franchise afraid to swing big. The only question is which path they choose: a steady upgrade, a defensive safeguard, or a franchise-altering star.
One thing is certain: doing nothing isn’t an option. Not in this Western Conference. Not with this timeline.