Surprise New Trade Target Emerges for the Lakers Ahead of Deadline

It's less than a week to go before the NBA trade deadline, and Los Angeles Lakers fans are hoping that general manager Rob Pelinka can find much-needed help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Various names have been floated around as potential trade targets, ranging from disgruntled Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler to veteran depth options, such as Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas. On Friday, another potential trade target joined that list.

Lakers Trade Rumors: Bogan Bogdanovic Linked to Los Angeles

On Friday afternoon, ClutchPoints' Anthony F. Irwin reported that there's been "lots of noise swirling" regarding the Lakers potentially trading for Atlanta Hawks veteran wing Bogdan Bogdanovic.

There's a good chance that Irwin's report has some decent merit. A few hours before the Lakers rumor was posted, NBA insider Brett Siegel reported that Bogdanovic's trade market was "heating up" and that the Hawks could make it happen via a multi-team trade "in the coming days."

Bogdanovic, 32, is in the middle of his worst NBA career to date, meaning it likely won't take a massive haul to bring him to L.A. The former 2014 first-rounder is only averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.1% from the floor and 31.0% from the three-point line across 24 outings with the Hawks this season.

Conversely, the Hawks have been playing sub-.500 basketball all season, meaning a trade to the potentially playoff-bound Lakers could help Bogdanovic turn things around. After all, it was only last season that he averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists with .428/.374/.921 splits in 79 appearances with Atlanta, finishing fifth in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting along the way.

If the Lakers acquire the Serbian veteran, it won't be as a rental piece. On top of carrying a $17.2 million cap hit this year, Bogandovic is under contract for $16 million next season and also has a 2026-27 team option for the same amount, per Spotrac.

Rui Hachimura ($17 million), Gabe Vincent ($11 million), and Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7 million) are all players the Lakers could move to pull off a potential Bogdanovic trade. None of the trio is a vital part of Los Angeles' future, meaning Lakers fans wouldn't share a tear if they're traded.

Time will tell just how Bogdanovic could impact the Lakers' championship outlook if he's acquired. For now, JJ Redick's team will head into the trade deadline tied for the 14th-best 2024-25 NBA Finals odds (+6500) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

More Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors:

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.