The Los Angeles Lakers will be exhausting all avenues during the offseason to improve their roster alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Lakers clearly need a center, but if there’s a chance for them to add another star talent, it shouldn’t be counted out. 
With the expectation that Kevin Durant will be traded in the next few weeks to months, Rohan Raman of Sports Illustrated recently proposed a trade idea for the Lakers to acquire him. The trade would be a three-team deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, with the Lakers not having to move on from much for the star.
The Trade Idea
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Royce O’Neale, 2026 2nd round pick (via DEN or GSW, from PHX)
Phoenix Suns Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2031 1st round pick (unprotected, via LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn
“There’s no question that a starting lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Kevin Durant should finish the year as one of the five best offenses in basketball.
“Four of those players are capable of generating their own offense and all of them are good passers as well. Although Durant isn’t a true center, he’s almost seven feet tall and can go up against centers at times should the situation call for it. Despite his age, he hasn’t declined much as a scorer. Last season, KD averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 52.7/43/83.9 shooting splits. He is going to be 37 years old by the time next season starts, but it is clear to see how he could open the floor up even more for Luka and LeBron to operate due to the respect he demands as a shooter,” he wrote.
If the Los Angeles Lakers were able to pull off this trade, it’d be something they have to consider. Despite Durant being 36 years old and turning 37 in September, he’s still one of the best players in the NBA.
What Would the Addition of Durant Do for the Lakers?
If the Los Angeles Lakers were able to add a player who is coming off the season averaging 26.6 points and shooting 43% from three-point range on six attempts per game, Rob Pelinka wouldn’t be able to deny it.
According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to have an opportunity to trade for Durant.
While that doesn’t mean they’ll be interested in him and he could certainly go elsewhere, it was reported by Mark Stein that the Phoenix Suns are expected to move him in the coming weeks.
“In speaking with various teams, Kevin Durant’s departure via trade in coming weeks is frequently described as an inevitability. Yet there is also no shortage of cautious prognostication in circulation about the sort of package Phoenix can get back for Durant compared to what it surrendered to acquire him in February 2023…..It is not uncommon, two years and change later, to hear that some potential suitors are willing to make trade pitches for Durant with no assurances that the 36-year-old stays beyond the 2025-26 season,” Stein wrote.
As long as the Lakers have a chance to get in on the fun, nothing should be counted out.
