The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with a lot of players in the trade market following their up-and-down start to the 2024-25 season. The Lakers currently sport an underwhelming 16-13 record and team insider Jovan Buha spoke on who they are more likely to bring in before the deadline among some notable players, during an appearance on Playback.
On Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson is someone who has been heavily linked with the Lakers and understandably so. They aren't a great three-point shooting team and he would help fix some of those shooting woes. Johnson's Brooklyn Nets are also entering a rebuild, so they aren't exactly desperate to hold on to him. Buha reckons the Lakers may land him but there's one problem.
"I would say possible, yes," Buha said. "But again, there is a tricky part with his contract of the outgoing and the ingoing don't match, so it gets a little tricky there."
Johnson is making $22.5 million this season but does have $4.5 million worth of incentives. Whichever team trades for him has to give up $27 million in salaries as a result but that would push the Nets into the tax bracket, something they wouldn't want.
So, it's a bit complicated to trade for Johnson, who is averaging 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25, but it is doable. We came up with two packages the Lakers can offer to land Johnson.
On Lonzo Ball
The Lakers have also linked with Lonzo Ball, who finally made his return from a long spell on the sidelines this season. A reunion for Ball with the team that drafted him with the second pick of the 2017 NBA Draft would be special but it appears unlikely.
"Possible, but unlikely I would say," Buha stated.
Earlier in the show, Buha had explained why the Lakers would hesitate to trade for Ball.
"Lonzo, I think it is a little trickier just because of his contract and the injury history," Buha said. "They have to see a little bit of a larger sample size of him being healthy. I think, though, you could argue that the price might be so low that it could be worth it. But I'd see that one a little bit closer to the trade deadline."
Ball is averaging 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Chicago Bulls this season. The asking price is going to be very low and he is also in the final year of his contract so perhaps the Lakers might take a chance on him before the deadline based on how he plays in the coming weeks.
On Collin Sexton
Collin Sexton is a name that has popped up recently in connection with the Lakers. The rebuilding Utah Jazz would be willing to part ways with Sexton but Buha doesn't see the Lakers going for the guard.
"Possible, but I've heard the Lakers aren't very high on him," Buha stated. "So I would say also unlikely."
Sexton is averaging 17.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.8 steals per game for the Jazz this season. While he might be a slight upgrade on what the Lakers have in their backcourt, he doesn't help solve one of their biggest problems there, defense. So, it's not a surprise that Sexton isn't likely to end up in Los Angeles.
On Jakob Poeltl
Speaking of rebuilding teams, the Toronto Raptors are one, and Jakob Poeltl is somewhat of an odd man out there. The 29-year-old doesn't fit the Raptors' timeline but a team like the Lakers certainly could use him. Buha thinks a move is possible but there is one slight issue.
"Possible," Buha said. "His contract is a little tricky. He's got another year with like $19 million, I don't think they love that. But possible."
Poeltl is set to make $19.5 million next season and has a player option for the same amount for 2026-27. So, he will be on the Lakers' books for a while but it still might be worth it to bring him in.
Poeltl is averaging 15.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Raptors this season. He'd be a huge upgrade at the backup center spot and could even be counted on to slot in as a starter depending on the matchup.
On The Biggest Star The Lakers Could Realistically Acquire
The Lakers are not expected to pursue a star in the trade market but if they were to acquire one, Buha believes Brandon Ingram is the most realistic one.
"It's probably Ingram," Buha said. "There's always been backroom Trae Young buzz but Atlanta is having a pretty good season so I don't see them just blowing them up. So I would say Ingram over LaVine. The problem with LaVine is he's making $43 million and it's just really tough for the Lakers to match that from the salary perspective."
Ingram has averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. The former Laker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Pelicans, who are currently 5-22 in 2024-25.
Ingram would certainly help the Lakers offensively but he doesn't fill some of the big issues with this team like outside shooting and defense. They would be better off making smaller moves for players who fill more pressing needs like the ones mentioned earlier.
