RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesLakers trade idea ships Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt for $46M NBA champion in mega 3-team deal originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Los Angeles Lakers have had an extremely active summer and are still looking to add another major piece, with a starting power forward remaining one of their biggest needs. Their busy offseason began with the blockbuster trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.
However, the Lakers now have a roster crunch to deal with and are looking to move some players before the season begins. Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht are two names Los Angeles has reportedly made available in trade discussions.
“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Los Angeles has been searching for a starting power forward throughout the offseason, but the process has not been easy. Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as the Lakers' preferred target, but negotiations have been difficult because Kuminga and his camp have been seeking more money than teams appear willing to offer. Despite that, Los Angeles has already put an offer on the table.
“The Lakers have offered Jonathan Kuminga a contract via sign-and-trade that would pay him around $45 million. Los Angeles is willing to send Jarred Vanderbilt alongside draft capital to the Hawks for Kuminga, who must sign at least a three-year deal in sign-and-trade agreements," Sidery posted.
A sign-and-trade agreement has been nowhere close to being finalized, leaving the Lakers searching for another way to make the deal work. SI’s Rohan Roman believes Los Angeles could ultimately land both Kuminga and Mo Gueye in a massive three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers .
“Hawks get: Dalton Knecht, Shaedon Sharpe, 2027 2nd round pick (via POR), 2028 2nd round pick (via POR). Lakers get: Mo Gueye, Jonathan Kuminga. Trail Blazers get: Buddy Hield, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2027 first-round pick swap (via ATL), 2032 first-round pick swap (via LAL),” Roman wrote.
In this proposed deal, the Hawks would receive two young players in Knecht and Shaedon Sharpe, along with a pair of second-round picks that could provide valuable depth and future assets. Portland would receive a proven shooter in Buddy Hield, a defensive-minded forward in Vanderbilt and additional draft compensation.
For the Lakers, the trade would finally give them Kuminga while also adding Gueye as another potential bench option. It would address their biggest positional need while helping them solve their roster crunch at the same time.
Kuminga was on a $46 million deal last season , and Los Angeles is simply looking for a way to get a deal done that solidifies its starting lineup. If this three-team blockbuster were to become reality, all three organizations could walk away with pieces that fit their respective needs.
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