Building Another Aggressive 3-Team Los Angeles Lakers Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers still have issues after the late-December trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. The team is inconsistent defensively (especially in the backcourt) and still doesn't have a hefty backup center (outside of recently signed two-way Trey Jemison III.

The initial plan was to map out three trades (aggressive, moderate and conservative) for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Nets deal reduced L.A.'s stock of second-round picks to just two in 2025.

Unless a team covets a pair of picks in the 50ish range—usually resulting in players on two-way contracts—the Lakers will be on the outside of more minor, conservative deals for players like Nick Richards (recently sent from the Charlotte Hornets to the Phoenix Suns).

With small contracts to offer, such as those of Jalen Hood-Schifino and Christian Wood, players with no current on-court value, Los Angeles may need to part with a starter like Rui Hachimura to improve (paired with at least one of its remaining future first-round picks).

The following is a three-team solution that changes the Lakers' identity to a defensive-minded group, heavily reliant on the offensive generation of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves.

Full Trade Details

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TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 30: Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers holds the ball against Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Lakers get:

• Jakob Pöltl (from Toronto Raptors)
• Davion Mitchell (from Raptors)
• Dalano Banton (from Portland Trail Blazers)

Raptors get:

• Deandre Ayton (from Blazers)
• Duop Reath (from Blazers)
• Jabari Walker (from Blazers)
• Rui Hachimura (from Lakers)
• Cam Reddish (from Lakers)
• Jalen Hood-Schifino (from Lakers)
  
• 2029 top-8 protected first-rounder (from Lakers)
• 2025 second-rounder (higher of LA Clippers or Lakers, via Lakers)
• $21 million trade exception (Bruce Brown Jr.)

Portland Trail Blazers get:

• Bruce Brown Jr. (from Raptors)
• Kelly Olynyk (from Raptors)
• Garrett Temple (from Raptors)
• Christian Wood (from Lakers)
• 2025 Trail Blazers second-rounder (from Raptors)
• 2028 Dallas Mavericks second-rounder (from Raptors)
• 2029 second-rounder (from Raptors)
• $2 million trade exception (Jabari Walker)
• $2 million trade exception (Duop Reath)

Notes: Los Angeles conveys $5 million to the Raptors if the 2029 first-rounder is a top-eight selection.

The Raptors return the previously acquired Blazers 2025 second-rounder. If the Lakers' 2029 first's top-eight protection is triggered, Toronto will convey $1.4 million in cash to Portland instead of the 2029 second-rounder.

The Dallas 2028 second-rounder will only convey if the Indiana Pacers do not send a first-rounder to the Raptors by 2027 (per the Pascal Siakam trade).

Why the Los Angeles Lakers Do It

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 15: Davion Mitchell #45 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the net as Jakob Poeltl #19 sets a screen on Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 15, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The Lakers are considering returning to a big configuration with Davis shifting to power forward. Instead of anchoring the defense entirely, Davis could be freed up as a more disruptive roaming defender. That's how the team won in 2020, and Pöltl is a legitimate center on a cost-controlled contract ($19.5 million a year, player option before the 2026-27 season).

Injuries have decimated Toronto, but Pöltl has shown what he's capable of, like his 35-point, 12-rebound game against the Boston Celtics in November. Hachimura has become expendable with the addition of Finney-Smith, a better defender with an outside shot. Hachimura's primary value is scoring with a marginal defensive contribution.

The Lakers are also weak in the backcourt. While Mitchell is only 6'0", he's a tough, feisty defender who can help alleviate some of the ball-handling gap in L.A. after sending out Russell. Banton can handle the ball a bit and would capably replace Reddish on the fringe of the rotation.

L.A. is unlikely to improve without giving up first-round compensation; at least, this provides a way to protect it in the top-eight. While they lose some offense in Hachimura, adding Pöltl and Mitchell can help offset what's lost while changing the team's defensive identity.

Why the Toronto Raptors Do It

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PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 16: Deandre Ayton #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the first half against the LA Clippers at Moda Center on January 16, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The entire transaction hinges on the Raptors believing that Ayton (26) is a better fit with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and the rest of the roster than the older Pöltl (29). Ayton is more expensive for one additional year, but then the team can look to lock him in at a suitable long-term number.

The team also adds a talented scoring forward in Hachimura, bolstering the frontcourt with an eye on competing at a higher level in 2025-26. Toronto's season was derailed by injury, but the hope is that this is a brief stop in the lottery.

As a restricted free agent this summer, Mitchell could be expendable with Jamal Shead as a quickly developing prospect to back up Quickley. The Raptors also get a first-round pick in the deal, along with a lower second-rounder in 2025 to replace the one they're giving back to Portland.

The Raptors get a look at several inexpensive players like Walker, Reath and Hood-Schifino. Toronto also gets a significant trade exception for Brown.

Why the Portland Trail Blazers Do It

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PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Deni Avdija #8 and Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the second half against the Miami Heat at Moda Center on January 11, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

The Blazers don't need to rush to get off veteran contracts, but the team is building around a younger core of players like rookie center Donovan Clingan and guards Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.

Portland can afford to wait to get out of Ayton over the summer, but it would be difficult to pass up on a concrete offer to drop Ayton's $35.6 million next season to Olynyk's $13.4 million. The Blazers carry too much payroll for a rebuilding team with no real trade market for veteran forward Jerami Grant.

The rest of the incoming players are expiring, and Portland is losing any players it intends to keep for much longer. The true motivation is the financial savings plus the three second-round picks, including the Blazers' own this draft (high 30s).

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