{"id":19238,"date":"2026-05-26T13:01:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T13:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/nba-trade-rumors-lakers-line-in-the-sand-the-big-board-heavy-com\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T13:01:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T13:01:40","slug":"nba-trade-rumors-lakers-line-in-the-sand-the-big-board-heavy-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/nba-trade-rumors-lakers-line-in-the-sand-the-big-board-heavy-com\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers \u2018Line in the Sand\u2019 & the Big Board! – heavy.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

Certainly, we understand that heading into the NBA<\/a> offseason, after the Lakers<\/a> were swept by the Thunder<\/a> in the conference semifinals to follow up an inspiring and gritty series win over the Rockets in the first round, there are expectations in L.A.
The Lakers have cap space. They have a star player, Luka Doncic<\/a>, who is only 27 and who is well-liked across the league. They have new ownership. And, again … they’re the Lakers. Tings always work out for the Lakers, they always find a way to get the star–Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol<\/a>, and now, Doncic.  The Lakers always find a way.
Except that the funny thing that’s happened to the NBA in the past few years is that the league has found a way to make it impossible for teams like the Lakers to just “find a way.” There is the luxury tax, but more important, there are apron rules. And more important still, for the Lakers’ position, is that there is a sharp shift away from cap space as a means of player acquisition.
So, yes, the Lakers have cap space. But there are not that many free agents to bring in, and in the end, the feeling is that the Lakers will use their space as a facilitator to either acquire more assets or bring in a good role player.
Yes, when it comes to the Lakers this summer, there will be chatter around the major trade chips that will be discussed–Donovan Mitchell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, you name it. But around the league, the sense is that the Lakers like the players they have and could mostly bring back the key pieces to the 2025-26 roster.
That means LeBron James<\/a> (probably the biggest wildcard) and Austin Reaves stay put. It means that, if Rui Hachimura<\/a> does not get a jaw-dropping offer, he could come back. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard<\/a> are maybes, depending on their offers. Bronny James and Jaxson Hayes<\/a>? Probable. Same with Deandre Ayton<\/a>, who might not opt out of his contract.
Now, that does not mean the Lakers will do nothing. As one NBA executive said, “They’re going to find a big man, I think that is their line in the sand. That’s probably the big change there, it’s the thing they’ve been talking about for the last few years, really.”
What’s the ceiling for something like that? Probably Jarrett Allen, who averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds this year in Cleveland, and is a solid defensive player in the middle. When it comes to the big guys the Lakers could conceivably acquire, Allen might be the best.
It’s hard to see the Lakers bringing back James and Reaves and still going after, say, Jalen Duren<\/a> of the Pistons<\/a>. The math gets too sticky.
Bobby Marks of ESPN recently highlighted a trade proposal<\/a> for Daniel Gafford (for Jarred Vanderbilt<\/a>, Dalton Knecht and No. 25 in this year’s draft). That’s realistic.
So is Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks, or Nic Claxton<\/a> of the Nets. Robert Williams<\/a> III of the Blazers is a target, too, a relatively young (though rarely healthy) guy who can be brought in as a free agent on a contract that the Lakers could afford.
The Lakers have high hopes for the offseason. But realistically, the exec notes, “You’ve got to take what’s there on the market for you. I think they understand they have a good team, they just need a guy who can be a star in his role at center.”
OK, now back to our regularly scheduled trade rumor list …
Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>, Bucks<\/a><\/strong>. (Remaining contract: two years, $120 million.) Again, an Antetokounmpo trade may be overdue, but it is also complicated to pull off. Reports that the Bucks may just keep him in the end therefore make some sense.
Kawhi Leonard<\/a>, Clippers<\/a><\/strong>. (Remaining contract: one year, $150 million.) The Clippers say they’re not trading him. But logic dictates they should consider it.
Donovan Mitchell<\/a>, Cavaliers<\/a><\/strong>. (Remaining contract: two years, $104 million, player option.) Well, he has broken through to the conference finals, and that is progress. But the Cavs are a second-apron team and will need to address the payroll\/roster this summer.
Jaylen Brown<\/a>, Celtics<\/a><\/strong>. (Remaining contract: three years, $183 million.) The Celtics won’t trade Brown just for the sake to be rid of him–nothing he says on a livestream is going to change that. But his trade value is high, so it’s only natural for the team to explore it.
Jamal Murray<\/a>, Nuggets<\/strong>. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) One exec said it would be a “seismic” move to trade Murray, but given where this franchise is now, it’s something it would have to consider. Like Brown, he has peak value right now.
Kevin Durant<\/a>, Rockets<\/a><\/strong>. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) A report from The Ringer<\/a> says he is on the market. But is there any team left in the NBA that wants to take on his drama? It would be difficult to find a realistic trade partner. <\/p>\n

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