3 Most Realistic Lakers Trades to Consider on 2025 NBA Draft Night
The Los Angeles Lakers are always in the spotlight, but as the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the team faces a crossroads. With LeBron James in the twilight of his career and Anthony Davis potentially in his prime for a few more seasons, the Lakers must strike a balance between immediate contention and future-proofing their roster. This balance makes the 2025 draft night crucial. For the Lakers to remain competitive while securing their future, trading for the right pieces will be paramount.
Below are three realistic trades that could improve the Lakers’ roster while giving them flexibility to compete for championships in the post-LeBron era.
1. Lakers Trade for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers
Trade Details:
- Lakers Receive: Myles Turner (C), Buddy Hield (SG)
- Pacers Receive: 2025 1st Round Pick (Top 10 Protected), 2025 2nd Round Pick, Malik Beasley, and Mo Bamba
Why it Works:
This trade addresses two of the Lakers’ biggest needs: shooting and a true center to anchor the defense. Myles Turner has been one of the most consistent shot-blockers in the league and would provide the Lakers with a rim protector to pair with Anthony Davis. In addition to his defense, Turner has developed a reliable outside shot, making him a floor-spacing center who fits well in the Lakers’ modern offensive scheme.
Buddy Hield, meanwhile, is one of the best pure shooters in the league. The Lakers have struggled in recent years to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with shooting, and Hield’s presence could be a game-changer. His ability to stretch the floor and provide spacing for LeBron and AD would make the Lakers’ offense more dynamic.
From the Pacers’ perspective, they would get a promising first-round pick (top-10 protected), which could be used to further build around their young core. Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba are solid role players who add depth to the Pacers’ rotation, while giving them additional flexibility.
Why It’s Realistic:
The Pacers are in a rebuild, and this trade would allow them to add draft capital and clear more room for their younger players to develop. For the Lakers, adding a versatile center and a sharpshooter is a no-brainer, especially as LeBron’s window for contending is shrinking. The trade benefits both teams, making it a plausible scenario on draft night.
2. Lakers Acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors
Trade Details:
- Lakers Receive: Pascal Siakam (PF)
- Raptors Receive: 2025 1st Round Pick (Unprotected), D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and a 2026 2nd Round Pick
Why it Works:
Pascal Siakam would be an excellent addition to the Lakers, bringing an All-Star caliber forward to complement Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Siakam is a versatile player who can score, rebound, defend, and facilitate, all of which would be extremely valuable for a Lakers team trying to win now. His scoring ability would take pressure off LeBron, and his defensive versatility would give the Lakers more options when guarding opposing forwards and wings.
The Lakers would be sacrificing a bit of their future with this trade by giving up an unprotected first-round pick, but the addition of Siakam would solidify their title-contending status in the short term. Siakam’s contract is up in 2025, but the Lakers could offer him a max deal in the summer or retain him for a potential championship run.
For the Raptors, this trade gives them a mix of immediate and future value. D’Angelo Russell, while often inconsistent, could be a potential fit next to Fred VanVleet in the backcourt, and Rui Hachimura offers a young forward who could contribute right away. The Raptors also gain an unprotected first-round pick, which is valuable for their rebuild.
Why It’s Realistic:
The Raptors have been in a holding pattern for several years, and there’s been speculation about them moving on from Siakam, especially as they face an uncertain future. The Lakers, on the other hand, have the assets to make a move to bolster their championship chances. While Siakam’s price tag might be steep, the Lakers have the resources to make this trade work, and the Raptors may be ready to pivot toward a rebuild.
3. Lakers Trade for De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks
Trade Details:
- Lakers Receive: De’Andre Hunter (SF), Clint Capela (C)
- Hawks Receive: 2025 1st Round Pick (Top 10 Protected), Jarred Vanderbilt, and Lonnie Walker IV
Why it Works:
This trade would give the Lakers an upgrade at the wing and center positions. De’Andre Hunter is a two-way forward who could help the Lakers in multiple areas. Hunter is a solid defender who can guard multiple positions and contribute as a reliable scorer. His ability to hit threes (career 35.2% shooter from deep) would add some much-needed shooting to the Lakers’ lineup.
Clint Capela would solve the Lakers’ problem of rim protection and rebounding. Although he’s not as versatile as Myles Turner, Capela is one of the best rebounders in the league, and his presence in the paint would allow Anthony Davis to focus more on offense and less on rim protection.
For the Hawks, this trade provides more youth and depth. Jarred Vanderbilt is an energy player who could be a solid fit alongside Trae Young in Atlanta’s frontcourt, while Lonnie Walker IV offers scoring and flexibility at guard. The top-10 protected pick gives the Hawks a chance to add more talent to their roster or use it in future trade negotiations.
Why It’s Realistic:
The Hawks have been in a state of flux for the past few seasons and may look to move off some of their veteran players. While Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter are valuable, their trade value might not be at an all-time high, making this a realistic deal for the Lakers. For Los Angeles, acquiring both a proven scorer and a rebounder would give them the balance they need to make a deep playoff run.
Conclusion
The Lakers are in a critical spot on the verge of the 2025 NBA Draft. With LeBron James’ career winding down, the team needs to make strategic moves to stay competitive while ensuring they have a solid foundation for the future. These three trade scenarios represent realistic avenues for the Lakers to improve both now and in the years to come. Whether adding shooting and defense, an All-Star forward, or bolstering their center rotation, each trade would give the Lakers more tools to chase another championship while preparing for life after LeBron.
