Austin Reaves and LeBron James
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Lakers' Austin Reaves and LeBron James during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April 2025
The prevailing assumption around the league for much of the season was that the Los Angeles Lakers would approach the trade deadline cautiously, constrained by a thin asset cupboard and limited margin for error.
Los Angeles remains on the lookout for a young two-way wing, a pursuit complicated by the fact that the Lakers’ primary expiring contracts Rui Hachimura at $18.2 million, Gabe Vincent at $11.5 million, and Maxi Kleber at $11 million have reportedly generated little traction.
With few clean paths to a meaningful upgrade, the front office appears increasingly aware that any deadline move of consequence will require creativity rather than convenience.
That creative thinking may now extend to the Lakers’ most valuable piece of trade capital.
Lakers Exploring Bold Draft Capital Strategy
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers are actively exploring ways to reshape their lone tradable 2032 first-round pick, widely viewed as their most valuable asset, into multiple selections.
“With the Lakers, the word on the street is they’re trying to package Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent together for a wing,” O’Connor said. “Now, the really interesting thing with them is, they’ve been shopping around their future 2032 first round pick for multiple first round draft picks.”
“Similar to what the Suns did a year ago when they traded their 2031 pick to the Jazz for three lesser firsts in ’25, ’27 and ’29. So it seems like the Lakers are looking for two or three firsts that are worse individually than their future first, giving them more parts to put together in like Vincent plus Vanderbilt or Vincent plus Kleber types of packages.”
“But that’s my understanding right now of what the Lakers are angling to do with their future picks and with the guys on the existing roster.”
As outlined by Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand, dealing the 2032 pick for multiple selections in earlier draft years could unlock additional trade flexibility, allowing Los Angeles to regain access to their own future first-rounders and significantly expand its pool of movable assets ahead of the deadline.
In that scenario, the Lakers would suddenly have far more combinations at their disposal, potentially bringing higher-caliber wings within reach.
Given that the Lakers stunned the league last year by landing Luka Doncic in a blockbuster move few saw coming, the possibility of another aggressive pivot cannot be dismissed outright.
Limited Market Forces Lakers to Weigh Long-Term Paths
The obstacles, however, remain substantial. As Dan Woike of The Athletic reported, second-year guard Dalton Knecht has also not generated meaningful trade value around the league.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones has long been viewed as an ideal fit, though his availability remains highly uncertain.
Other names including Trey Murphy and Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis have circulated, while fresh intrigue has emerged around Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga after he became trade eligible on January 15.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Golden State is aware of the Lakers’ interest in Kuminga, though he noted that no formal talks have taken place between the teams.
Looking beyond the deadline, Los Angeles may ultimately find its greatest flexibility arrives in the offseason. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, the Lakers are projected to have more than $55 million in available cap space this summer, enough room to pursue one or two significant additions.
That flexibility, however, is complicated by Austin Reaves’ upcoming free agency and the decisions that will follow.
For now, the Lakers remain at a crossroads. Retaining the 2032 first-round pick would still allow them to control multiple first-rounders this summer, preserving optionality for larger offseason moves.
Whether Rob Pelinka chooses patience or pivots aggressively before February 5 may ultimately define how far this roster can realistically be pushed in the short-term.