Next moves Lakers must make after Luka Doncic trade
The Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster trade, sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and their 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber. LA also sent Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks to the Utah Jazz.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
This completely shakes up the Lakers roster, but it improves the team in the long term. However, to maximize the new Doncic and LeBron James duo, Rob Pelinka will need to make another move or two.
With that said, let’s break down the next moves the Lakers must make after the Luka Doncic trade.
Lakers land Turner
Lakers receive: Myles Turner
Pacers receive: Jakob Poeltl and a 2031 first-round pick (via LAL)
Raptors receive: Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and two second-round picks (one via LAL and one via IND)
Acquiring Myles Tuner would be the ideal move for the Purple and Gold. With Davis gone, LA needs a defensive center.
Turner would fit extremely well as he’s one of the best rim protectors in basketball and can space the floor on offense. Turner is averaging 16/7/2 with 1.9 blocks per game on 48/40/76 shooting splits.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his deal, but for the Pacers to consider an offer, they’d have to get a center back. This three-team deal sends Poeltl to Indiana along with the Lakers 2031 first-round pick, while Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and two seconds head to Toronto.
If Pelinka can make this deal happen, LA could run a five-out offense, as everyone in their lineup could space the floor.
Lakers receive: Myles Turner
Pacers receive: Jakob Poeltl + 2031 FRP
Raptors receive: Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and two seconds
Who says no? pic.twitter.com/fIdTjQlhxr
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) February 2, 2025
Lakers make risky move for athletic big
Lakers receive: Robert Williams III
Trail Blazers receive: Rui Hachimura
A Turner trade is unlikely, but one realistic option is Robert Williams III. Williams is an athletic lob threat and rim protector, but injuries have hampered his value.
Williams has appeared in 17 games, averaging 6/6/1 and 1.7 blocks per game. Given his injury history, Moving Hachimura for Williams is risky, but they may have to pay this price to get a center.
The Lakers are aggressively pursuing athletic rim protecting centers on the trade market.
Nic Claxton and Robert Williams are two players to keep a very close eye on over the next few days. pic.twitter.com/egjTczdcBF
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 2, 2025
Lakers add solid center
Lakers receive: Jakob Poeltl
Raptors receive: Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and a 2031 first-round pick (top 10 protected)
Another option is for the LakeShow to acquire Poeltl themselves. Poeltl isn’t the athletic big man that LA is looking for, but he’s a quality rebounder and rim protector.
The 29-year-old is averaging 15/10/3 with 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He would be a solid addition to the Lakers but would, again, be costly.
Lakers make big swing for young big man
Lakers receive: Walker Kessler
Jazz receive: Dalton Knecht, a 2027 first-round pick (top four protection removed), and a 2031 first-round pick
Another one of the ideal trade targets for the Lakers is Walker Kessler. Kessler is an established young defensive anchor, playing at a high level. Kessler is averaging 11/11/2 with 2.3 blocks per game.
Kessler could be the long-term center for LA, but the Jazz have held a high price. To acquire him, they’d have to send out their impressive rookie Dalton Knecht, their last remaining tradeable first-round pick, and remove the protection on the 2027 first.
Lakers acquire rim protector
Lakers receive: Onyeka Okungwu
Hawks receive: Rui Hachimura a 2031 first-round pick
Another top target for LA should be Onyeka Okungwu. Okungwu is one of the best young rim protectors in basketball.
The 24-year-old is averaging 12/8/2, shooting 55.9% from the floor. Moving Hachimura and the last first-round pick for a young rim protector and lob threat would be worthwhile.
Lakers make small move for big man
Lakers receive: Day’Ron Sharpe
Nets receive: Christian Wood and a second-round pick
If LA can’t find a big deal for a center, they could make a small move for Day’Ron Sharpe. Sharpe is a big the Lakers have shown interest in previously.
Sharpe is averaging 8/6/1 this season and could be a serviceable role player. He wouldn’t be the long-term answer at center, but he would improve their current depth.
Lakers trade for a 3&D wing
Lakers receive: Javonte Green
Pelicans receive: Christian Wood and a second-round pick
While the top priority is trading for a starting center, after losing Max Christie, the Lakers could use another 3&D wing.
However, since their biggest assets are likely going to a big man, a small deal for Javonte Green could be beneficial.
Green is on the selling Pelicans. He averages 6/4/1 and 1.1 steals on 45/37/77 shooting splits. At a cheap price, he would be a good bench 3&D wing to add.
On Saturday night, the Lakers made the biggest trade in NBA history. They will now build around their superstar, Doncic, for years to come.
