7 Most Likely Lakers To Be Traded Before the 2024-25 NBA Season

The Los Angeles Lakers have been frustratingly quiet so far this offseason. As free agents went off the market to sign elsewhere, GM Rob Pelinka stood pat. Now, the attention has understandably turned to the trade market.

If the Lakers are going to build a competitive roster that can challenge the top of the Western Conference, they need to be active and aggressive on the trade market. Los Angeles has the 2029 and 2031 first-round picks as well as pick swaps as their draft capital that they can trade. They will look to attach players to these draft assets to acquire quality rotation players to fit around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Let's take a look at the most likely Lakers who will be traded this offseason, in order of likelihood.

D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million contract for next season took Lakers fans and the organization by surprise. There was an expectation that the 28-year-old guard would seek a longer deal in free agency after his solid year in Los Angeles. It turns out, he didn't have much of a market.

That complicates trade talks as well. If he didn't test free agency because of a lack of a market, it's hard to see him get much value in a potential deal, either. However, he is on an expiring contract and he is still a good regular-season player.

His salary structure and amount make him the most obvious trade candidate. His postseason struggles and defensive deficiencies are well-documented at this point, so it would be a major surprise if the Lakers decided to bring him back for another season.