The Los Angeles Lakers are far from finished with their roster changes.
Recently, the Lakers made a historic trade, and they’re not stopping now. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers traded Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, their 2031 first-round pick, and a 2031 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. This acquisition solidifies the Lakers’ center position for the future.
Williams will get to pair with Luka Dončić for years and with LeBron James for at least the upcoming season. For a young 23-year-old center showing promise in the NBA, it’s an exciting opportunity. But this trade reveals a clear fact about the Lakers’ strategy: they’re not done.
And their next move is obvious.
Trading Rui Hachimura is the next Lakers move after Mark Williams deal
When the Lakers traded for Dončić, it was evident they needed a center. Trading away Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks left them without a starting-quality big man. With Williams now in the fold, the Lakers have that key position filled.
However, the package they sent to the Hornets should signal to Lakers fans that Rui Hachimura is likely next. While this may not seem apparent at first, a little thought reveals it clearly.
Now that Williams is on the roster, the Lakers’ lineup is more balanced. Yet, they could have taken a more gradual approach, acquiring a temporary center and waiting until the summer to secure their long-term big man. Instead, they opted for a full commitment right now, signaling a desire to compete at the highest level as soon as possible.
Looking at the roster, trading Hachimura makes sense, particularly if the right trade opportunity presents itself. The Lakers already have Dorian Finney-Smith, a close associate of Dončić, and a standout 3-and-D forward.
With Hachimura’s $17 million contract, combined with players like Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, or Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers have the financial flexibility to make a significant move, one they’re not shy about pursuing.
While the picks given up in the Williams trade might limit their star-hunting efforts for now, the Lakers have the salary space for a big deal, and any hesitation has clearly been removed.
If the Lakers decide to retain Hachimura, he will still have a role on the team. But considering what the Lakers were willing to give up for Williams—a young center with immense potential, despite injury concerns—it’s clear the team is ready to make bold moves. This means more roster changes are likely, and Hachimura stands out as the most probable piece to be traded.
