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Two Lakers Players Emerge As Trade Candidates for the Deadline

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Aleksandar Mishkov | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 2:26 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers fans always want their team to sign a big-name player since they are used to getting stars. This summer, the Lakers had a busy offseason, getting players like Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Deandre Ayton. But that doesn’t mean that the team is done improving. According to the latest reports, they will take this team to training camp, but there are players who are at risk of being traded.

Two Lakers Players Emerge As Trade Candidates for the Deadline

As we near opening night, Lakers fans think the team should improve even more. Right now, the biggest improvement might come in the form of Luka Doncic. The Slovenian star is in the best shape of his life. And in a summer when he plays for the national team, he always comes back to the NBA more focused and energized.

With that in mind, the latest reports are that the Lakers plan to take this roster into the season and see how they contribute. Yet, two players could emerge as likely trade candidates at the deadline if things do not go their way. Per Brett Siegel, the Lakers want to see what value Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber can provide. They signed Vincent as a free agent a few years ago, and Kleber was a part of the Luka – Anthony Davis trade.

Both are playing in the last year of their contract, earning $11.5 million and $11 million, respectively. If the Lakers do not see them as players who can bring value to the team by the deadline, they can easily trade them either for picks, another player, or just salary relief.

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) rebounds a ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) during the fourth quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

What Do the Lakers Need?

The Lakers need what every other team in the NBA needs: three-and-D wings. But those are not easy to find. They also need bench help, something they hoped Vincent could provide when they signed him in the summer of 2023. Yet, until now, he has played a total of 83 games. He was injured for most of his first year in Los Angeles. Last season, he regained some of his shooting form, converting 35.3% of his three-point attempts.

The challenge for the Lakers is that they have two generational players in Luka and LeBron James. They need to decide whether they will go all-in this season, in a last attempt to help LeBron win another title, or will they build for the future.

One thing is certain. While Luka is still young, he is not a patient player. He has reiterated how the goal for the upcoming season is to compete for a championship. He even took a more proactive approach in recruiting players to come to Los Angeles.

Can the Lakers Win a Title Next Season?

Right now, the Lakers have the fourth-best odds to win the championship in 2025-26. They are behind the reigning champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets, and the Houston Rockets. Last season, despite everything, the Lakers finished with the third-best record in the Western Conference. They should be among the top four teams in the West again this year. But in the playoffs, it all comes down to matchups. Looking at the top teams, Denver is their biggest obstacle, as they have shown before, they have no answer for Nikola Jokic.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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