The Los Angeles Lakers made their first big trade of their 2024-2025 season. They sent D’Angelo Russell Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
While adding Finney-Smith does give the team wing depth, a vastly improved three-point shooter, and a bonafide defender, this trade was more about getting 15 million in savings against the salary cap and luxury tax.
Call it a win-win for those reasons, the one thing it does not accomplish is address the two biggest needs on the team — an upgrade to the backcourt and a quality depth behind Anthony Davis.
Movable Pieces For The Lakers
The Lakers still have two players they are looking to move before February are Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent. Hachimura is owed $35.26 million through the 2025-26 season, making him an attractive piece to any trade package. Conversely, Vincent’s tenure with the Lakers has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, failing to live up to the expectations of his three-year, $33 million contract. As a result, the Lakers are likely to include him in trade discussions, potentially as a salary filler to facilitate a deal.
Current NBA Rumors: Trade Targets
The most consistent trade rumor connects the Lakers to Washington Wizards big man Jonas Valunciunas. Wizards acquired Jonas Valanciunas from the New Orleans Pelicans in a sign-and-trade deal, intending him to serve as a veteran mentor to rookie center Alex Sarr and provide valuable support in defending larger frontcourt players. Valanciunas has effectively fulfilled this role, contributing efficiently as a reserve center for the Wizards this season.
Other centers that the Lakers have reportedly been interested in are Nikola Vucevic, Walker Kessler, and Robert Williams III.
For guards, the rumors have not singled one out as they have with Valanciunas, but the name that has bubbled to the top most has been Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards, but Collin Sexton, Bruce Brown, Zach Lavine and Lonzo Ball have all been linked to the Lakers via trade rumors.