The February 6 trade deadline is fast approaching, and Lakers fans are eagerly awaiting moves from the front office. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are having standout seasons, and with the right support around them, they could lead the Lakers to a deep playoff run.
To improve their roster, the Lakers are in a position to trade two first-round picks and several pick swaps. They could also offer young players like Max Christie or Dalton Knecht to sweeten deals, while utilizing players like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt as salary matches. Let’s explore some realistic trade targets for the Lakers.
Jonas Valanciunas
Valanciunas, the veteran big man, has long been a rumored target for the Lakers. Last offseason, reports suggested he was on LeBron James’ shortlist of players he’d consider taking a pay cut for. Although it’s unclear whether the Lakers had serious interest at the time, Valanciunas signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Wizards. Washington, now in a rebuilding phase, is looking to trade its veterans in exchange for future assets.
Recently, Anthony Davis urged the Lakers front office to acquire another big man. While Valanciunas may not be the ideal fit next to AD due to his defensive limitations and lack of shooting, he remains one of the most attainable centers on the market. This makes him a realistic target for the Lakers.
At 32 years old, Valanciunas would likely cost the Lakers second-round picks and the salary-matching contracts of Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt. He would bring a dominant post presence and provide valuable offensive rebounding to the Lakers’ game.
