Report: Lakers open to trade for player signed beyond 2026

The Lakers aren’t just kicking the tires on short-term help. They are open to a trade that brings back a player signed beyond 2026, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

Los Angeles heads into camp with 14 players under contract, including Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) all on expiring deals.

The Lakers also have the ability to include one of their 2031 or 2032 first-round picks in a deal, McMenamin notes.

The approach is clear — with Luka Doncic locked up long term and LeBron James still producing, the Lakers want optionality both now and in the seasons ahead.

“Luka’s play in EuroBasket made it clear … he’s on that incredibly short list of ‘best player on the planet’ candidates,” team president Rob Pelinka said. “Having both Luka and LeBron allows us to think carefully about the value of that optionality.”

The Lakers’ starting five is expected to feature Doncic, Austin Reaves, Hachimura, James and Deandre Ayton, who joined this summer along with Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. The moves come after last season’s first-round flameout against Minnesota.

Per McMenamin, one name on the Lakers’ radar is Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, who is owed $28.2 million next season with a $30.2 million player option in 2026-27.