Despite a disappointing first-round exit in the 2024 playoffs, the Lakers have a clear plan for the future. The Lakers will be trying to build a contender around 26 years old superstar Luka Doncic.
The Lakers have trade pieces such as Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht that could be traded for a player that better fits the offensive system and compliments the defensive system with Luka Doncic and Lebron James.
DeAndre Ayton
The Portland Trail Blazers are entering another rebuilding era, which makes them very likely to be parting ways with DeAndre Ayton. The former first-overall pick is not as defensively talented as Jaren Jackson Jr. but will be a big interior presence. The Blazers are also likely to move on from Ayton due to his large contract, which makes him a burden to the rebuilding Blazers.
The 7-foot center averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Blazers and will be an easier trade target. The Lakers will not have to offer Austin Reaves and will most likely offer Dalton Knecht, who the Blazers will be interested in as a rebuilding team that is seeking young players.
If the Lakers offer Knecht and role players, they can avoid dealing any future picks because of Knecht’s value as a rookie. Another alternative is to avoid trading Knecht. Instead, the Lakers could trade role players including Rui Hachimura and one to two first-round picks for DeAndre Ayton. In that case, the main trading piece that the Blazers value would be the picks.
The League Leader 
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