With a 13-4 record heading into Friday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves have been performing well since opening night, while LeBron James has performed well since returning from injury.
If the Lakers want even more star power on their roster, they could consider trading for an All-Star center in the Eastern Conference.
Lakers predicted to land Kristaps Porzingis
The Atlanta Hawks entered the year with high expectations for their new-look roster centered around guard Trae Young. Fast forward to the end of November, the Hawks are in a strong position with an 11-8 record. Needless to mention, this is largely without Young, who has been out since October 31 with a knee injury.
PFSN’s Noah Rubin predicts Atlanta could shake up their core by trading big man Kristaps Porzingis to the Lakers. The proposed business details are as follows:
The Lakers receive: kristaps porzingis
Hawks receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2026 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
“The Hawks are at a crossroads,” Rubin wrote. “They possess the Pelicans’ first-round pick and could potentially add an elite prospect next summer with some luck. They’ve been playing pretty well (but not great) without Trae Young, but their record when Porzingis hasn’t played this season is even better.”
Rubin added, “They could certainly try to flip Porzingis and add a third first-round pick to a loaded class after not leaving him much to gain this summer. This wouldn’t require them to move on from Young, but it certainly gives them flexibility.”
This trade would clearly signal the beginning of a rebuild, or possibly a complete rebuild around Jalen Johnson and Zachary Rishachar. Johnson is having a breakout campaign, averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7 assists on 54.7% shooting from three-point range and 38.6% from the field.
Bringing in Hachimura and Vincent are certainly solid rotational additions, but the real appeal for Atlanta is the draft capital.
Considering that Young has only played five games this season, it seems likely that the Hawks will leave this version of the team. Keeping Porzingis for the entire 2025-2026 season could help Young lead the Hawks deep into the postseason once again.
Giving up two first-round picks for Porzingis is quite a sacrifice for the Lakers. Considering how adamant the front office has been about building around Doncic and focusing on the future, this is a great price for a 30-year-old on an expiring contract. Porzingis is in the final season of a two-year, $60 million deal.
He is averaging 18.7 points and 5.9 rebounds on 48.1% shooting in 12 appearances with the Hawks. There’s no doubt he’ll fit in well with Doncic and James, but then again, who wouldn’t?
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