The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a busy summer, and according to a recent report from The Athletic, the franchise is expected to be aggressive on the trade market. While the team is projected to have significant salary cap space, the upcoming free agent class is notably thin, with many top-tier players being restricted free agents. This means the Lakers may need to rely on trades rather than free agency to make meaningful upgrades to their roster.
The Lakers are reportedly looking to add athletic two-way wings and defensive-minded big men—players who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. To get deals done, the team has some valuable trade assets: two future first-round draft picks (2031 and 2033) plus the rights to their 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall). According to The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick, league sources expect the Lakers to be aggressive in pursuing trades using these picks.
Interestingly, the report also mentions two specific players the Lakers have targeted in the past: New Orleans Pelicans wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Both are known for their defensive versatility and three-point shooting—qualities that would fit perfectly alongside Luka Dončić. However, it remains unclear whether New Orleans is willing to part with either player. Still, there is internal confidence that pathways to an optimized roster for Dončić will reveal themselves.
Lakers fans have heard similar rumors before, only to see minimal moves during the offseason or trade deadline. Beyond draft picks, the team's trade capital is limited unless they decide to make Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura available in a sign-and-trade deal. Several key players—including Hachimura, LeBron James, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes—are set to become free agents this summer, while Reaves is expected to opt out of his contract. With the right moves, this summer could be a turning point for the Lakers as they look to build a championship-contending roster around their stars.