3 Potential Lakers Trades in the Works After FA Misses

The Los Angeles Lakers have been frustratingly quiet so far in the offseason. While fans have been waiting for immediate upgrades to the roster, General Manager Rob Pelinka has kept his powder dry. Their No. 1 free agent target Klay Thompson signed with Dallas and the Lakers haven't acquired anyone else yet.

With most of the impactful free agents now off the table, the Lakers have reportedly turned their attention to the trade market. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles is currently discussing potential trades with the Trail Blazers, Nets, and the Jazz.

"It’s too early to write the Lakers off, of course. There’s always a chance they pull a rabbit out of a hat with a trade or signing. They have been active in recent days, discussing potential deals with Portland, Brooklyn and Utah, among other teams, according to league and team sources."

- Jovan Buha, The Athletic

The Lakers are almost certainly using D'Angelo Russell in a deal. They also have Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt on the trade block. With the combination of these four players, the Lakers can get up to enough salary to target any player of interest. In addition, they have recent draft picks Dalton Knecht and Jalen Hood-Schifino that they can use as sweeteners, as well as their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks.

These assets are likely not enough to return a star for the Lakers but are certainly enough to get starter-caliber players. The three teams the Lakers are reportedly negotiating with have players that the Lakers could use in their starting lineup.

Presumably, the Lakers are interested in; Jerami Grant from Portland, Dennis Schroder, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith from Brooklyn, and Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Walker Kessler from Utah.

The Lakers have enough trade chips to trade for at least a few of these players. Rob Pelinka needs to nail these transactions and make sure he builds the right roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With the championship window closing with every passing season, the Lakers can't afford to make a mistake on the trade market.

More Lakers news and rumors: