Lakers Eye Lauri Markkanen in Off-Season Trade to Bolster Luka Doncics Wing

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a possible roster upgrade that could bring Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz to the Crypto.com Arena. The move would add size, scoring and wing presence to a team that already features Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Markkanen, 29, is under a five‑year, $238‑million contract that runs through the 2028‑29 season. He has been the Jazz’s most productive player in recent years, averaging a career‑high 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the 2025‑26 season before injuries limited him to 42 games.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton, the Jazz could be willing to trade Markkanen and young wing Cody Williams to Los Angeles. In the proposed package, the Lakers would send Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, a 2027 first‑round pick and a 2031 first‑round pick swap. Because Vincent was traded after the initial proposal, Dalton Knecht would replace him in the framework.

The trade would give the Lakers a forward who can score from the perimeter, rebound, and play without needing to create for himself. Markkanen’s shooting efficiency and willingness to rebound would complement Dončić’s playmaking and James’s veteran leadership.

The Lakers’ current roster includes LeBron James, who is a free agent, and Austin Reaves, who has developed chemistry with Dončić. Reaves is not part of the trade package, so the team would retain his guard play while adding Markkanen’s forward skills.

The Jazz are in a rebuilding phase, focusing on young talent such as Ace Bailey, Keyonte George and Walker Kessler. Markkanen’s contract, which includes more than $46 million owed for the 2025‑26 season, would free salary space for the Jazz as they build a new core.

If the trade goes through, the Lakers would also acquire Cody Williams, a 6‑foot‑8 wing with upside. The addition of Williams would provide depth on the perimeter.

The Lakers’ front office is also considering the future of James, who could leave the franchise as a free agent. A trade for Markkanen would create a more balanced lineup that could compete for a championship if James remains.

The proposed trade would involve significant future draft assets. The Lakers would give up a 2027 first‑round pick and a 2031 first‑round pick swap, but would receive a 2027 first‑round pick in return. The trade would also involve a 2031 first‑round pick swap that could be used in future negotiations.

Markkanen’s health and fit with the Lakers are factors the front office would need to evaluate. The Lakers’ willingness to absorb his contract would depend on the confidence that he can stay healthy and contribute at a high level.

The trade would also give the Lakers a potential long‑term pairing with Dončić. Markkanen’s ability to score from the wing and rebound would add a new dimension to the Lakers’ offense.

The Lakers’ roster changes would also affect the team’s cap situation. Adding Markkanen’s $238‑million contract would require the Lakers to balance the salary cap, but the trade would also bring in a 2027 first‑round pick that could be used to acquire additional talent.

The trade would be the first major move the Lakers make in the 2026 off‑season. The front office would need to confirm the Jazz’s willingness to trade Markkanen and Williams, and the Lakers would need to negotiate the terms of the trade.

If the trade is completed, the Lakers would have a roster that includes Dončić, James, Reaves and Markkanen, which would be a significant upgrade over the previous season.

The trade would also give the Lakers a more balanced roster that could compete for a championship. The Lakers’ front office would need to confirm the trade and negotiate the terms with the Jazz.

The Lakers’ next steps will involve confirming the Jazz’s willingness to trade Markkanen and Williams, negotiating the trade terms, and evaluating the impact on the Lakers’ salary cap and roster.

The trade would give the Lakers a forward who can score, rebound and play without needing to create for himself. The Lakers would also acquire a young wing in Cody Williams.

The Lakers’ front office is preparing for a possible trade that could bring Markkanen to Los Angeles. The trade would give the Lakers a more balanced roster that could compete for a championship.

The Lakers will need to confirm the trade and negotiate the terms with the Jazz before the next off‑season deadline.

The Lakers’ next steps will involve confirming the trade and negotiating the terms with the Jazz.

The Lakers’ front office is preparing for a possible trade that could bring Markkanen to Los Angeles.

The Lakers will need to confirm the trade and negotiate the terms with the Jazz before the next off‑season deadline.