Los Angeles Lakers Insider Names 6 Trade Targets Linked in NBA Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off an uneventful offseason, linked in NBA rumors to some big-name players but coming back with the majority of the same roster from last season. While the team is basically set as of now, there are already swirling Lakers rumors about potential trade targets during the season.

Los Angeles won’t be making a move anytime soon, with NBA trade rumors likely to start circulating with a much higher frequency in December. However, there are some well-known trade candidates expected to be made available in the months to come.

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Reflecting on the Lakers’ offseason and the lack of moves made by Rob Pelinka, Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints named several NBA trade candidates who Los Angeles is either interested in or are expected to monitor in the months to come.

Trade Targets Linked To Los Angeles Lakers

Speaking to people around the NBA, Irwin wrote that many inside the league view Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma along with Brooklyn Nets players Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith among potential trade targets for Los Angeles.

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There are also persistent NBA rumors tying Los Angeles to Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown. However, the name in particular being mentioned as one to “keep an eye on” is Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine.

• Zach LaVine contract ( Spotrac ): $43.031 million cap hit in 2024-’25, $45.996 million cap hit in 2025-’26, $48.967 million player option for 2026-’27 season

LaVine would be the costliest trade acquisition financially, especially since his contract includes a 15 percent trade kicker. Although given the lack of interest he’s receiving around the league, the acquisition cost would be lower for Los Angeles.

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Kessler has been a prominent name in NBA rumors for months, even being linked to the New York Knicks before the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. If the Lakers were to pursue a trade with Utah, they could offer up first-round picks in 2029 and 2031.

However, swinging a deal with the rebuilding Nets (Finney-Smith) or Raptors (Brown) feels more likely for the Lakers as either option would be more affordable to acquire. For the time being, the Lakers roster will remain in place as the organization tries to see how much improvement coach JJ Redick can generate.