The Lakers are likely to keep their current roster because trading veterans like Maxi Kleber or Gabe Vincent would cost valuable draft assets without a guaranteed upgrade, making it more strategic to evaluate the team during the season.
With training camp on the long horizon, speculation is swirling about whether the Los Angeles Lakers might make a small but strategic move before the 2025-26 season tips off.
The names most commonly floated in these discussions? Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent, both entering the final year of their contracts.
On paper, these expiring deals could be useful trade chips, potentially freeing up roster space or creating flexibility under the NBA's restrictive new CBA rules. But according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, fans shouldn't expect anything to happen in the immediate future.
"I don't think another move is coming for the Lakers before the season starts," Woike wrote in his mailbag, adding that it's ultimately "a simple cost-benefit analysis" for the front office.
Currently, the Lakers have limited trade ammunition: just two tradable draft picks—one first-rounder, one second-rounder—and a few low-value pick swaps.
That makes the front office reluctant to part with assets unless there's a clear and immediate upgrade available.
"To create a roster spot to sign a remaining free agent, you're spending at least one second [round pick] and losing a veteran who you believe to some degree can help," Woike explained. "Or [you're] losing a player who can make as big of a difference compared to whatever player is still uncommitted here in August."
Credit AP - Scanpix
In other words, moving Kleber or Vincent now would require sacrificing a player the Lakers believe still holds value—either on the court or as a future trade piece—without a guarantee that a free agent signing would offer a significant improvement.
Woike also suggested that the Lakers' current priority is evaluating the roster they’ve built rather than making a late-summer trade.
"While talks could pick back up as training camp gets closer, I believe it's way more likely that the Lakers would rather look at the roster that they've built, assess the strengths and weaknesses, and try to improve during the season than use any of their limited draft arsenal to get a deal done now."
That philosophy means the Lakers might hold onto Kleber and Vincent into the season, reassessing their value closer to the trade deadline.
If both remain healthy and productive, they could become more appealing as mid-season rental pieces—especially for teams looking to shed long-term salary.
This offseason, Los Angeles has already added guard Marcus Smart, center Deandre Ayton, and wing Jake LaRavia. Also, Luka signed an extension, while LeBron picked up his player option.
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