Young Lakers prospects could be key in pushing through a trade

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a growing list of challenges early in the season, with injuries to Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes leaving the team thin in the frontcourt. 

Combined with struggles from Gabe Vincent and Max Christie slipping out of the rotation, the Lakers front office appears poised to pursue trade opportunities.  

Armed with two future first-round picks, general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers could be ready to adopt a win-now approach. Such urgency follows speculation that LeBron James could retire as early as the end of the season.

Potential trade targets  

To address their frontcourt issues, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that the Lakers are considering New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas and Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has also been linked to the Lakers in the past, though The Athletic reports that the Jazz are uninterested in the Lakers’ potential trade packages.  

Any deal is expected to center around D’Angelo Russell, whose expiring $18.6M contract and additional draft capital could form the basis of a trade package.  

Vincent’s contract poses challenge  

The Lakers may also look to move on from Vincent amid his underwhelming performances. However, the guard still has two years remaining on his contract, valued at $11M and $11.5M, respectively, making him a difficult trade asset. 

It is believed that the Lakers may need to attach draft compensation for a team to absorb Vincent’s contract.  

Untouchables and potential trade chips  

Austin Reaves is reportedly off-limits in trade discussions, and it’s unlikely the Lakers would part with Christie, who recently signed a four-year, $32M deal, unless it was a significant move.

However, young prospects Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis could generate interest among teams.  

Selected 17th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Hood-Schifino’s development has been hindered by injuries. The Lakers recently declined his third-year rookie option, making his $3.8M deal an expiring contract. 

At 21-years-old, the 6-foot-5 guard could appeal to teams looking for a low-risk, high-upside addition.  

A second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lewis has also struggled to find his footing in Los Angeles. He spent some of the 2023-24 season in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.5 points and showing glimpses of potential.  

Lewis has started the current season on a high note in the G League, posting an impressive 27-point opening day performance that included five three-pointers, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. 

The 6-foot-7 wing, now 22-years-old, has $2.2M in contract cash next season with a team option for 2026, making him an intriguing project player for teams willing to invest in his development.  

Whether through Hood-Schifino’s expiring deal or Lewis’ potential upside, the Lakers potentially have other assets that could help facilitate a trade. 

With frontcourt injuries building, defensive worries and mounting pressure to contend, the front office will need to act decisively to address its roster gaps.