Latest Lakers intel throws a wrench into their plans for a big trade

It's been a slow offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, who have made only a couple of moves thus far. Despite that, there is an expectation that they will make a big trade to improve their roster but new intel calls that into question.

Although the Lakers have the necessary matching salary to make a big deal, according to Athletics' Jovan Buddha, teams don't seem enthusiastic about taking back players such as Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and D'Angelo Russell.

He did point out that each player may have fans in the NBA, but not necessarily all three or even two of them paired together. That poses a challenge for the Lakers, who would need to include at least one of those players to land a player such as Kyle Kuzma or Jerami Grant.

They also can't take back even a dollar more in salary in a trade, further complicating things. Still, that might not be the end all be all. If they are willing to give up future assets like their 2029 first, a 2030 pick swap, or their 2031 first.

Can the Los Angeles Lakers still make a big off-season deal?

While some potential trade targets like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Dejounte Murray, and DeMar DeRozan are off the market, the aforementioned Kuzma and Grant seem to be the most likely trade targets. The Lakers could offer Russell, 2023 first-round Jalen Hood-Schifino and a top-5 protected 2029 first for Kyle Kuzma or Vincent and Hachimura, a 2029 top-5 protected first, and a top-3 protected 2030 pick swap for Grant.

That might be enough for them to upgrade their roster, though it would cost them future assets. Fortunately, rookie Dalton Knect looks like he can make an immediate impact given that he was one of the most experienced college players in the 2024 draft and one of the nation's leading scorers last season.

Having Kuzma or Grant join the Lakers would give them more scoring punch to help Anthony Davis and LeBron James, with both Kuzma and Grant averaging at least 21 points per game last season. That might not make the Lakers contenders, but after finishing seventh in the West last season, it might make them better and possibly get them a more favorable first-round playoff match. Nevertheless, the Lakers may have trouble convincing other teams to make a deal with them.