The Los Angeles Lakers have high hopes to compete at the very best in this 2025-26 campaign.
As this new season would be Luka Doncic’s first full outing as a Laker, Los Angeles couldn’t be more desperate to go all-in with winning the NBA championship as the ultimate goal. But with LeBron James inactive until November due to nerve issues, the entire group is slated to face an uphill climb in building an early momentum.
Although it’s still way too early, the Lakers are one of the key few teams to monitor already that would be active on the trade market. Rob Pelinka is committed to orchestrate any moves that will bring the best out of the Lakers’ contention plans.
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As such, in his recent Bleacher Report piece, Greg Swartz has proposed an intriguing name that is an ideal trade target for the Lakeshow: Lauri Markkanen.
“The 7-footer can knock down threes, put the ball on the floor and isn’t afraid to dunk over opponents in traffic,” Schwartz wrote about Markkanen for the Lakers. “With or without James in the lineup, Markkanen would be a huge add for a Lakers team that needs to keep pace with squads like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets in the West.”
Markkanen has been a common component of the league’s trade chatter since last season. And considering that the Utah Jazz might still be under rebuilding mode, his trade availability must be kept an eye on as the new season progresses.
But the price to pay in trading for Markkanen would be expensive. In a potential deal with the Jazz, the Lakers have to match the star forward’s massive $46MM-plus annual salary. Not to mention, Danny Ainge will definitely seek draft assets before letting the Finnish sensation go.
Regardless, Markkanen is indeed an interesting star that could be partnered to Doncic. Versatile, athletic and offensively talented, the 28-year-old can tremendously lift the Lakers’ title odds even beyond this year.
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