As the LA Lakers look to revamp their roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, they have been linked to some interesting names.
The Los Angeles Lakers have already begun working on their roster for the next season. After their championship hopes came crashing down against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there is a lot to be done.
Fan excitement surrounding the next season has already started to improve. Luka Doncic’s recent workout video thrilled fans, as the Slovenian looks to address his fitness and conditioning issues.
Luka Doncic is following Gary Payton’s advice and putting in the work. But that is only one aspect of the Lakers’ plan for topping the previous season.
The main priority for the Lakers must be making some big moves to upgrade their roster and give Doncic and LeBron James the best possible chance to compete for an NBA championship. Their playoff exit showed the Lakers don’t have reliable options at center.
But what players are in the Lakers’ orbit? We’ve put together the latest on all the potential trade candidates the Lakers have their eye on.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Jazz are open to trading Walker Kessler. The Lakers have had their eyes on the big man for quite some time.
But the Utah Jazz refused to entertain any talks for Kessler. In the end, the Jazz held on to the center past the trade deadline. If the Lakers want Walker Kessler, they will have to pay a very big price.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha said that the Lakers are unlikely to be able to match the Jazz’s high asking price for Kessler.
“I just don’t know if the Lakers have the requisite assets to get Walker Kessler, but I think he’s likely available for the right price. I just think that price is very high, and I don’t know if the Lakers can get to it.”
The two sides did work together on the Luka Doncic trade, although Danny Ainge didn’t know he helped the Lakers pull off the trade of the century.
Draymond Green had said earlier this year that the Lakers couldn’t ever trade with the Jazz again. So, any Lakers fans hoping to land Walker Kessler should temper their expectations.
If the Lakers can’t get Kessler, why not look for a player with some solid playoff experience? According to Anthony Irwin, Clint Capela is a name that is quite high on the Lakers’ wishlist.
“Clint Capela is considered within reach at $5.7 million and, as such, is expected to sit pretty high on the Lakers’ target board.”
Capela has been pitched as a Lakers option for quite some time. The Hawks’ big man is 31 years old and a free agent this offseason.
But Capela isn’t the only veteran center available on the market. Brook Lopez is also a free agent this year, and according to Jake Fischer, the Lakers have long admired the former NBA champion.
“The Lakers have long been fans of Lopez, sources say. That doesn’t guarantee they will pursue him again, but the Lakers are indeed expected to be a player in the center market this summer.”
Capela, in particular, is a brilliant lob threat option, something that will benefit Luka Doncic, who can elevate a big man quite well.
Capela has shot above 65% in two seasons while playing with James Harden and Trae Young, who are elite lob passers. Pairing him with Doncic could yield the same results.
While Lopez isn’t quite as athletic as Capela, his height advantage (Lopez stands at 7’1 while Capela is 6’10) makes him a better rim protector.
On top of that, Lopez is a stretch big, shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc in his career. That is something the Lakers have long yearned for, which could make him the front-runner ahead of Capela.
It will be interesting to see which direction the Lakers go with the free agents available in the market.
Earlier this week, Andrew Wiggins was linked to the Lakers, with Rui Hachimura’s name emerging as a potential trade asset in the deal. Jovan Buha said the trade would fix a lot of problems for the Lakers.
“I like that trade. I know Wiggins has been a popular guy for Lakers Twitter. He is someone that I think, among the realistic options, he is someone that would check a lot of boxes for the Lakers.”
The Miami Heat are rebuilding their roster, so getting some expiring assets ahead of the coveted 2026 free agent class might be the way to go.
But what about a reunion with a former lottery pick? Buha also spoke about Lonzo Ball being a possible option. But his health issues will be a concern at the negotiation table.
“I do, I think they would be (interested in Lonzo Ball). It’s just a matter of what his price is, and you have to factor in the health and the history there of just, you can’t even pencil him in for 60 games.”
“So whatever you’re giving up for him, there has to be some level of a discount… He’s a guy you have to load manage.”
Lonzo Ball made his return to the court after over two years, where he dealt with a serious injury. Since returning, Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 35 games for the Chicago Bulls.
At just $10 million a season, Lonzo is an affordable backup point guard option who can play well on both ends of the court.
Ball can play an Alex Caruso-type role for the Lakers. While his health is a concern, him coming off the bench makes this a deal worth considering.
Whatever deal the Lakers make with other teams, they should expect a tough negotiation. Teams in the NBA are reportedly looking to punish the Lakers for being ‘gifted’ Luka Doncic.
It appears teams are not happy about the Lakers landing a top-5 NBA player for a cut price, and are going to make things very difficult for them, as they look to build their future around Doncic.
If teams are looking to negotiate in bad faith, Rob Pelinka might have no choice but to pursue multi-team trades to sweeten the deal and land the players he is looking for.
This offseason is perhaps the most important in Lakers history. It is pivotal that they put together a contending roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic, as they can’t afford to waste the limited time the superstar tandem has together.
