If you think the Los Angeles Lakers can’t add a third Hall of Fame-level superstar to their core of Luka Dončić and LeBron James, think again.
The Lakers are in a solid position to go on a run in the upcoming playoffs, but they’re expected to be even better next season after a summer of roster improvements.
Could one of those improvements involve a 15-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP?
Forbes’ Evan Sidery reminded Lakers fans on Monday how a trade for Kevin Durant is indeed possible this offseason.
“If the Lakers wanted to make a push for a Kevin Durant trade, they have the necessary salaries: Durant: $54,708,609 … Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber = $54,696,833,” Sidery posted to X.
“After the (Charlotte Hornets center) Mark Williams trade was rescinded, Los Angeles can deal some draft capital too.”
Williams was traded to the Lakers on February 6 for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish, but the deal was rescinded two days later under somewhat dubious circumstances.
Durant to the Lakers would be on brand for an organization that has historically attracted the game’s greatest superstars in the latter stages of their careers.
Durant will be 37 years old by the time next season rolls around, but he’s still playing at an elite level. He’ll have other suitors on the trade market.
It’s hard to imagine a more exciting outcome for the basketball world than KD landing with Luka and LeBron in LA.
That doesn’t necessarily give the deal a greater chance of happening, but if there’s any GM capable of pulling this trade off, it’s Lakers’ exec Rob Pelinka, who just fleeced the Dallas Mavericks by acquiring Dončić in the most shocking transaction in NBA history.
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