Lakers Rumors: Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young Linked as Trade Targets

The Los Angeles Lakers could reportedly pursue three big-name players as potential offseason trade targets.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, team and league sources indicated that the Lakers are expected to at least consider pursuing Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.

The Lakers did not make a move at Thursday's trade deadline, but Buha noted that they could be more active during the offseason since they will have three first-round picks they can trade in 2031, 2029 and either 2024 or 2025, depending on which one the New Orleans Pelicans decide to take as part of the Anthony Davis trade.

Mitchell and Young were selected to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, while Irving likely only missed out due to missing time with an injury, and each of them are among the best and most dynamic guards in the league.

The 27-year-old Mitchell is signed through the 2024-25 season, but if the Cavs don't believe they can sign him to an extension, it stands to reason that he could be moved during the offseason.

Bill Reiter of CBS Sports reported Wednesday that there is "belief within the organization" that the Lakers have a chance to trade for Mitchell, which may have played a role in their lack of activity at the deadline.

Mitchell, who is a five-time All-Star and finished sixth in NBA MVP voting last season, is enjoying the best year of his career in 2023-24 with averages of 28.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game for a Cavs team that has won eight in a row and is in second place in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs are poised to contend this season and beyond, but if they experience another early playoff exit like they did last season, there is perhaps a chance that Mitchell may want to explore other options.

Unlike the Cavaliers, the Hawks have struggled this season to the tune of a 22-29 record, although they are still 10th in the Eastern Conference, meaning they would be in the postseason play-in tournament if the season ended today.

Any hope the Hawks have of enjoying success for the remainder of this season largely rests on the shoulders of the 25-year-old Young.

The three-time All-Star has been an offensive dynamo since entering the NBA in 2018, and he is enjoying another strong statistical season with averages of 27.1 points, 10.9 assists, 3.4 three-pointers made, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

Young signed a five-year, $215.16 million extension with the Hawks in 2021, so while he is under contract through at least 2026, the Hawks could potentially look to trade him in order to kickstart a rebuild if they don't believe they contend in the next few years.

The 31-year-old Irving already has experience playing alongside Lakers superstar LeBron James, as they won an NBA championship together with the Cavs in 2016.

Irving had somewhat tumultuous tenures with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets after leaving Cleveland, but he seems to have found a home in Dallas.

After the Mavs acquired him in a trade with the Nets last season, they signed him to a three-year, $126 million deal.

Although he has been limited to 30 games this season, Irving has been excellent when he has played, averaging 25.2 points, 5.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per contest as the primary running mate aside Luka Dončić.

At 29-23, the Mavs are eighth in the Western Conference this season, but they are perhaps more dangerous than their record suggests, and undoubtedly capable of going deep in the playoffs.

However, if the Mavs end up disappointing again this season, it could be the catalyst behind trading Irving, especially since he is only signed through 2024-25 with a player option for the 2025-26 season.

Any of the aforementioned guards would be a massive addition for a Lakers team that could use a third star to play alongside James and Anthony Davis, and could also benefit from a ball-handler to take some of the pressure off LeBron.

The Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals last season, and even at 27-26, they have a chance to contend this season, but they may need to add an impact player like Mitchell, Young or Irving to truly get over the hump in the future.