The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring trade options to acquire an athletic, starting-caliber wing player by shopping forward Jarred Vanderbilt and wing Dalton Knecht, according to reports from Evan Sidery and Jovan Buha.
The front office is looking to consolidate newly acquired draft assets alongside existing player contracts to bolster their perimeter rotation ahead of the upcoming season.
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Trade Talks Intensify
"The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks," wrote reporter Evan Sidery on X.
"After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing."
The push to trade Knecht follows a previous attempt during the 2024-25 season when a finalized deal with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams was rescinded at the last second, leading to a formal trade request from Knecht in January.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha proposed a trade scenario involving Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Jaden Hardy, and multiple draft picks to land Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr.
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"We talked about JJ (Derrick Jones Jr.), I think that's the best you could do (in a trade centered on Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Jaden Hardy, and several second-round picks)," stated Jovan Buha on Friday.
"I don't even know if you could do that, though, but if you could do that, for sure."
The Lakers currently hold three second-round picks after trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and draft capital.
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Alongside Knecht, the team is offering Vanderbilt, who is owed $12.4 million this season but possesses limited offensive output despite his strong defensive versatility.
