NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers could bag $132,929,128 Phoenix Suns center to form Big 3 with LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic and LeBron James via Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports
The
Los Angeles Lakers
are always on the hunt for roster upgrades, and a potential trade involving a starting forward could bring them a high-reward big man. According to a recent analysis, swapping Rui Hachimura for former
Phoenix Suns
star
Deandre Ayton
might be the jackpot move the Lakers need.
Why Deandre Ayton Makes Sense for the Los Angeles Lakers
The
Los Angeles Lakers
' search for a dominant big man isn't new, but finding the right fit is tricky.
Blazer's Edge's Adrian Bernecich
suggests Ayton could be the answer.
"In order to maximize (
Luka) Doncic
moving forward, the Lakers need a big man who can catch lobs, hit midrange jumpers, rebound at a high level, and play at least average defense," Bernecich wrote. "Sound like anyone we know?" (H/t
Sporting News
)
Deandre Ayton, who was part of the Damian Lillard trade, has shown flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency.
Still, his skill set aligns well with the Lakers' needs.
Ayton's Strengths
LeBron James and Luka Doncic (Image via Getty)
- Strong pick-and-roll player
- Effective in the high post
- Reliable rebounder and rim protector
- Career averages of 16.1 PPG and 10.4 RPG
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent motor and effort
- Limited three-point range
- Defensive lapses at times
The Proposed Trade Breakdown
For the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Deandre Ayton, they'd need to package multiple players to match his $108 million contract. Here's how the deal could work:
Lakers Send
Trail Blazers Send
Rui Hachimura ($18.2M)
Deandre Ayton ($34M)
Gabe Vincent ($11M) or Jarred Vanderbilt ($11M)
Dalton Knecht or Shake Milton (salary filler)
Bernecich explains: "Rui Hachimura is a no-brainer.
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With only one year left, he's a rotation forward earning $18.2 million, an amount that gets you halfway there. From here, the Lakers could add Dorian Finney-Smith, which pretty much gets you to Ayton's number. But my guess is they'd prefer to keep Finney-Smith and opt for one of three $11-to $11.5 million players in Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, or Jarred Vanderbilt.
"
Deandre Ayton's Potential Impact in Los Angeles
Deandre Ayton's best years came with the Suns, where he played a key role in their 2021 Western Conference Finals run. That season, he averaged:
- 14.4 PPG
- 10.5 RPG
- 1.2 BPG
- 62.6% FG
If he regains that form, the Lakers would add a legitimate two-way center who can:
- Strengthen interior defense
- Provide efficient scoring in the paint
- Improve rebounding, a current weakness
Risks Involved
While Ayton has upside, there are concerns:
- Effort and conditioning have been inconsistent
- Long-term financial commitment (three years remaining)
- May not fit seamlessly with Anthony Davis
Trading for Ayton is a high-risk, high-reward move. If the Lakers believe they can unlock his potential, he could be the missing piece in their frontcourt. However, giving up Hachimura and additional assets is a gamble—one that could either propel them into contention or backfire if Ayton's inconsistencies persist.
Also read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns could make bold move on $220,441,984 star; massive blunder or are they cooking?
As the offseason unfolds, this is a trade scenario worth watching.
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