Mock Trade Lands Lakers $57 Million Suns Duo for Package Headlined by Dalton Knecht

Now they will look to bounce back this season with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the way, though they also made some key additions to their roster this offseason.

In the offseason, the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart in free agency to upgrade their roster and they also signed Doncic to a massive three-year contract extension.

By making these moves, the Lakers were able to fill some key holes in their roster as they try to make a run at another championship this season.

Lakers Could Target Suns' Duo Ahead of Trade Deadline to Bolster Roster

While the Lakers are looking to make a title run this season, they may also be active ahead of the trade deadline to bolster their roster to improve their odds.

Two players they could target are Nick Richards and Royce O’Neale of the Phoenix Suns to upgrade their frontcourt and wing depth.

With the Suns blowing up their roster this offseason as they try to rebuild around Devin Booker and Jalen Green, they may be open to moving some of their veteran players and the Lakers could show interest in both Richards and O’Neale if Phoenix makes them available.

Mock Trade Swaps Knecht for Richards, O'Neale

In a potential trade, the Lakers could send Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent and draft capital to the Suns in exchange for Richards and O’Neale.

While moving on Knecht could be difficult for the Lakers to do, swapping him and Vincent for Richards and O’Neale could be solid move for them to make, especially with Knecht’s trade value decreasing.

For Richards, he would give the Lakers another reliable big man in their frontcourt alongside Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.

Last season, the 27-year-old center averaged 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 60.5% from the field over 36 games with the Suns after they acquired him from the Charlotte Hornets.

Richards is a solid inside scorer and rebounder, which is both things the Lakers could use off the bench as they have struggled with their frontcourt since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the Doncic trade last season.

For O’Neale, he would provide the Lakers with a 3-and-D wing who could play a key role for the team off the bench.

Last season, the 32-year-old forward averaged 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 40.6% from three.

O’Neale is a reliable scorer, rebounder and defender who would upgrade Los Angeles’ forward depth and give them another key player off the bench this season.

By making this trade, the Lakers would be able to add two more key players to their roster as they try to make a run at a title this season.