Top 10 Lakers Trade Targets in 2026 Offseason
Changes are coming to the purple and gold in the 2026 offseason after the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
They have some key decisions to make with key free agents in Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and more. However, they need to add pieces that fit around Luka Doncic, which could lead them to make at least one trade.
With that said, here are 10 potential trade targets for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers to pursue this offseason.
Lakers Trade Targets
Jarrett Allen
The Lakers are looking for their long-term answer at center to pair with Doncic. The ideal fit would be a lob threat and rim protector, and Jarrett Allen would fit that mold.
The Cleveland Cavaliers just advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and are expected to re-sign James Harden this offseason. While they are contenders, the roster is getting expensive, and if they want to get out of the second apron, moving Allen could make sense.
It would allow them to move their young star, Evan Mobley, to the center position full-time. Allen has a three-year $90.7 million extension kicking in this offseason, which makes him a potential trade candidate if the Cavs shed salary.
The 28-year-old big man averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a steal per game, shooting 63.8 percent from the field. He has proven to be a great lob threat for Harden, which would translate to LA with Doncic.
If he becomes available, the Lakers should pursue a trade.
Herb Jones
Herb Jones is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA and would complement the backcourt of Doncic and Reaves. Jones earned All-Defensive First Team Honors in the 2023-24 season.
In the 2025-26 season, Jones averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. The 27-year-old forward shot 38.3 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three.
His offense has been inconsistent, but he is a career 35 percent three-point shooter. If he can be average on offense, his defense would make him very valuable for the Lakeshow.
He will make $14.9 million in the 2026-27 season before a three-year $67.5 million extension kicks in. That keeps him under control long-term as a talented defensive forward. With the New Orleans Pelicans in rebuild mode, Jones should be a trade target for Pelinka.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The big name on the market this offseason is superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. LA has registered some interest in Antetokounmpo and pairing him with Doncic.
Doncic and Antetokounmpo would likely become the top duo in the league if the Lakers were to acquire him. The 31-year-old appeared in 36 games in the 2025-26 season, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 62.4 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from deep.
He has one year remaining on his deal, making $58.4 million with a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
They registered some interest in him at the trade deadline, but the Bucks ended up keeping him.
Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the world, but LA would have to give up a ton of assets to acquire him, and it would limit building the rest of the roster. While it’s a fun idea, it’s probably best to pass on pursuing Antetokounmpo.
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon would be a great fit next to Doncic as a lob threat, solid shooter, and quality defender. In the 2025-26 season, Gordon averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 36 games. He shot an efficient 49.7 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from distance.
Gordon has been a pivotal piece for the Denver Nuggets, but after another early playoff exit, they are looking to shed salary. That could make Gordon available, especially with his three-year $103.6 million extension kicking in this offseason.
However, Gordon has had some injury issues in the last couple of seasons, which would be a concern in acquiring his deal.
He also only really makes sense on the roster if James does not return to the team, as they are both power forwards. Gordon should be an option the purple and gold consider, but ultimately might not pursue, depending on James’ decision.
Daniel Gafford
Daniel Gafford is a center that the Lakers know would fit well next to Doncic, as they had great chemistry in Dallas. Gafford appeared in 29 games in the 2023-24 regular season on the Mavericks, averaging 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting 78 percent from the floor.
He was a pivotal piece for the Mavs as Doncic led them to the NBA Finals that season. Gafford is a good rim protector and lob threat with a three-year $54.3 million extension kicking in this offseason.
He is a potential option to upgrade the starting center position. However, the Mavs may be hesitant to make another trade with LA for a while after the Doncic deal.
Max Christie
Max Christie is a 3&D wing that the Lakers could look to reacquire. Christie was a part of the Doncic trade, but would fit well back in the purple and gold if Dallas is open to moving him.
The 23-year-old averaged 12.3 points along with 3.2 rebounds and two assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from behind the arc.
He has one year remaining on his $8.2 million deal, with an $8.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season. Christie’s two-way impact would fit well alongside Doncic.
Saddiq Bey
Another forward the Lakers could pursue to add size is Saddiq Bey. Bey is coming off a career year, as he averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. The 27-year-old shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 36.7 percent from three.
He would add another scoring punch to LA’s lineup and is on a favorable contract, making $6.5 million in the last year of the deal. Bey is an under-the-radar option to target if the Pelicans continue to rebuild their roster.
Yves Missi
A third Pelican that could make sense for the Lakeshow is center Yves Missi. Missi was the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and had a solid rookie season.
He looked like he could’ve been their long-term center, but then a new front office regime came in, and they traded up to draft a big man in Derik Queen with the 13th overall pick.
Missi moved into a bench role in the 2025-26 season, averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 54.4 percent from the field. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract and could have a bigger role on the Lakers.
With a new head coach, Jamahl Mosley, coming in, more changes should be on the way in New Orleans, which should warrant a call on Jones, Bey, and Missi.
Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton is another rim-running and shot-blocking center that LA could pursue. Claxton played in 69 games for the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor.
Claxton has two years remaining on a four-year $97 million deal, which is descending, as he will make $23.3 million in the 2026-27 season and $21.1 million in the 2027-28 season.
If Pelinka doesn’t add a starting-caliber center in free agency, it would make sense to trade for the 27-year-old Claxton, who is on a rebuilding team.
Kel’el Ware
Kel’el Ware is another potential trade option at center. Ware has played well in his first two seasons for the Miami Heat, averaging 11.1 points, nine rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 77 games in the 2025-26 campaign.
He shot 53 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from deep. Ware started at times, but his role was inconsistent in Miami, and he has had some tension with head coach Erik Spoelstra.
If Miami decides to move on, LA should jump at the chance to acquire him, as he is a talented 22-year-old who could fit long-term alongside Doncic.
The Lakers front office has a ton of work to do this offseason, but adding 3&D wings and forwards, along with a long-term center, should be their top priorities to upgrade the roster to rival teams like the Thunder.
