The rumor mill is running wild and the Los Angeles Lakers are soon to find themselves at the heart of endless speculation pieces. Every big name that appears will be placed under the magnifying lens as a potential key piece to the Lakers’ championship puzzle.
For as inevitable as that development may be, the Lakers can’t afford to buy into the hype if their only options are the current names on the rumor mill.
Los Angeles has built its future around five-time All-NBA First Team honoree Luka Doncic. As such, every move it makes must be executed with the goal of simplifying the game for Doncic and giving him the best possible opportunity to contend.
Unfortunately, the current names surfacing on the trade market aren’t exactly the epitome of ideal for the current roster, let alone Doncic.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently provided an intel drop that listed several big names as trade candidates. That includes DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis, and Anfernee Simons, all of whom are high-level players with four All-Stars on the list.
While each of those players is compelling in a vacuum, the Lakers would be wise to steer clear of them in potential trade negotiations.
Lakers must avoid current prominent names populating the rumor mill
DeRozan and LaVine are intriguing options given their versatile scoring skill sets and playmaking ability. They can both attack off of the bounce and knock down jump shots, with DeRozan acting as a midrange maestro and LaVine thriving from beyond the arc.
Alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, either player would have the ability to strengthen and diversify the offense with their respective skill sets.
Morant, meanwhile, has proven to be one of the best point guards in the NBA when healthy. Sabonis is a two-time All-NBA Third Team honoree who can score 20-plus points, dominate the glass, and facilitate as well as any big south of the Nikola Jokic line.
Simons is the only player on the list who isn’t an All-Star, but he’s a productive offensive player with deep shooting range and an expiring contract.
For as intriguing as that all sounds, there simply isn’t a natural fit among the players listed. Sabonis is arguably the closest in that regard as a plug-and-play star who can simplify the game for everyone around him on the offensive end of the floor and answer the Lakers’ questions at center.
Unfortunately, Sabonis’ struggle to protect the rim is right in line with DeRozan’s age and three-point shooting, LaVine’s contract, Morant’s injury history, and Simons’ own defensive woes as arguable dealbreakers.
Perhaps it would be a different story if more were known about Reaves’ 2026 pay raise, LeBron James’ retirement date, or the sustainability of Deandre Ayton’s early success. At the moment, however, it’s unwise to view any of the rumored trade options as seamless additions.
As such, the Lakers must employ patience as Doncic and company progress through the 2025-26 season and reveal conclusive evidence of what their strengths and weaknesses truly are.