The Los Angeles Lakers have a pivotal offseason ahead of them.
While some believe that the organization has various untouchable assets on its roster, there’s no telling what moves it’ll make this summer to position itself for a successful 2025-26 campaign.
A blockbuster three-team trade idea crafted by Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell sends an experienced point guard to the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.
Caudell’s full trade proposal sends Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins to the Atlanta Hawks, Herb Jones and Terance Mann to the Lakers, and Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, a 2027 second-round pick (from Hawks, via Cleveland Cavaliers), a 2029 second-round pick (from Hawks, via Cavaliers), and a 2030 first-round pick swap (via Lakers) to the Pelicans.
Vincent arrived in Los Angeles with high expectations. After his stellar postseason play with the Miami Heat in 2023 (he helped the franchise reach the NBA finals), the Santa Barbara product inked a deal with the Lakers in free agency.
So far, Vincent has underperformed with the Lakers, most noticeably in the playoffs.
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Vincent, who averaged 12.7 points on 40.2% field goal shooting and 37.8% three-point shooting with Miami two postseasons ago, has been a non-factor for the Lake Show on the big stage.
The 28-year-old veteran averages less than four points on unsatisfactory shooting splits with the Lakers in 10 playoff clashes.
By exchanging Vincent for an intimidating defender in Jones and a well-perceived glue guy in Mann, Los Angeles could surround Luka Doncic and LeBron James with more useful assets before the next NBA season commences.
More NBA: Lakers could cut ties with Luka Doncic via blockbuster trade to Spurs, per writer
