The LA Lakers are off to a decent 3-2 begin within the 2025-26 NBA season. LA would have most popular a greater run had it not been for accidents. LeBron James is out till at the very least mid-November with sciatica. In the meantime, Gabe Vincent may very well be out for a month with an ankle harm, rookie Adou Thiero has a knee situation and Maxi Kleber has an indirect ailment.
Luka Doncic has additionally missed a quick stretch, sitting out three video games with left finger and left leg contact accidents. Marcus Good and Jaxson Hayes have been the opposite absentees, two and three video games, respectively.
However, Austin Reaves and the remainder of the staff have steadied issues this previous week regardless of the accidents. It did not masks the truth that the Lakers’ roster depth is not the place it needs to be. Within the non-Reaves minutes (in Doncic’s absence), LA could not generate any offense. The protection on the perimeter stays murky in James and Good’s absences.
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The LA Lakers want important assist, however their willingness to dump main property to get there stays unclear. For now, assuming their desire stays to retain draft capital and their most tradeable participant, Rui Hachimura, listed below are three underrated strikes LA can pursue.
3 Beneath-the-Radar Commerce Targets the LA Lakers Should Pursue
*Editor’s word: The next mock trades are separate ideas.
#3 Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love
Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love landed on the Utah Jazz within the three-team commerce with the Warmth and the Clippers in July. The veterans aren’t remotely in Utah’s plans because the franchise continues committing to a rebuild and, sooner or later, would look to dump their contracts. The LA Lakers can monitor the state of affairs and contemplate including the frontcourt duo.
Anderson is a flexible defender who could be servicable in opposition to smaller gamers. He is additionally a playmaking wing who can shoulder a few of the burden off the bench. LA at present lacks that with its second unit, particularly among the many forwards.
As for Love, he isn’t been a major on-court contributor since final season. However, it by no means hurts to have a veteran locker room presence, particularly somebody with a storied previous as LeBron James’ teammate, who can maintain him and different stars accountable.
The LA Lakers can offload Maxi Kleber’s expiring $11.0 million and 2024 first-round choose Dalton Knecht on this commerce. Kleber’s accidents have saved him off the courtroom, and it might have an effect on his enjoying time in LA, whereas Knecht hasn’t proven sufficient promise in his second 12 months.
#2 Ochai Agbaji
Ochai Agbaji has fallen out of favor on the Toronto Raptors amid their stacked guard rotation. Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick and Jamal Shead are all forward of him within the pecking order, resulting in a drastic discount in his minutes (14.6 per recreation).
Agbaji can be within the last 12 months of his contract, making $6.3 million, making him an inexpensive commerce goal. For the time being, his worth is not what it was on the final commerce deadline. Agbaji averaged a career-high 10.4 factors final season, taking pictures 39.9% from 3. Nonetheless, this 12 months, he has scored 3.4 ppg, whereas taking pictures a meager 12.5% from 3.
Ochai Agbaji’s numbers appear regarding, however they’ll enhance alongside premier offensive abilities like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
Toronto may promote on the deadline if it stays removed from playoff rivalry. The LA Lakers can inquire a couple of commerce and offload Maxi Kleber, together with the 2032 second-round choose, as compensation. LA has to tackle AJ Lawson’s $2.2 million contract to ease off the Raptors’ books, who take a $2.3 million hit on their wage cap.
#1 Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson is not off to the perfect begin for the Dallas Mavericks. He joined the staff final 12 months in hopes of contending for a championship, however Dallas traded the most important cause, Luka Doncic, who could have motivated Thompson to affix the staff.
In his second season, Thompson has managed solely 8.2 factors on 31.3% taking pictures, together with 25.9% from 3. Dallas continues to force-feed Cooper Flagg on the level guard lineups, which has impacted everybody’s contributions on the roster.
A change of surroundings nearer to his dwelling with the LA Lakers and alternatives alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James can rejuvenate Klay Thompson.
At 35, Thompson’s commerce worth is not getting any higher. Dallas, alternatively, would like to maneuver on from the remaining of his $34.2 million contract for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
The Lakers have been all in favour of him final offseason in free company, however Thompson selected Dallas over a homecoming. LA can get again into the combination by providing the Mavericks what they want, which is extra depth on the level guard place.
Gabe Vincent is a perfect candidate to dump right here. He is owed $11.5 million this season within the last 12 months of his deal, giving the Dallas Mavericks sufficient cause to simply accept this framework. Dalton Knecht would be the different asset concerned from the LA Lakers’ facet to finish the commerce.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
