The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2025-26 campaign aiming to rebound from back-to-back first-round playoff exits, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James leading the way.
The Lakers addressed a key position of need this offseason, signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.2 million deal. The team also strengthened its second unit, adding Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia into the mix. Still, the Western Conference is stacked, posing a challenge for the retooled Lakers.
While Doncic focused heavily on his conditioning this summer and appears to be in much better shape than last season, several teams out West threaten Los Angeles’ hopes of making a deep playoff run — including the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. With James entering his 23rd season in the league, the Lakers could look to make a major swing for another forward to bolster their title chances.
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Lakers move Austin Reaves in blockbuster mock trade
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently compiled a mock trade for every team, predicting the move each would make if the deadline took place before the regular season. His trade proposal would land the Lakers an All-Star-caliber forward, though they’d have to part ways with a rising star.
Here’s Bailey’s proposed deal:
Lakers receive: Lauri Markkanen
Jazz receive: Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick swap, 2032 first-round pick
Markkanen is coming off his worst season in Utah, during which he appeared in only 47 regular-season games for a non-contending Jazz squad. While he struggled with efficiency in 2024-25, he’s a career 37.1 percent shooter from three-point range and an extremely versatile 7-footer.
Giving up Reaves would be difficult, though he may opt out of his player option next offseason and explore free agency after outperforming his contract. Instead of risking losing him for nothing, the Lakers could consider packaging him in a deal for a long-term piece to pair with Doncic.
This pitch would leave Los Angeles relatively thin in the backcourt, and it’s hard to rely on Smart’s durability after he appeared in just 54 regular-season games over the past two seasons. However, trading for Markkanen might be a risk worth taking — especially considering he’s under contract through the 2028-29 season.
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