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    3 Bold Proposals LA Should Make ft. Thunder’s $18.2M Defensive Stud

    Rambamwellness.comSportsDecember 22, 2025
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    The LA Lakers are expected to be in the thick of the trade rumor mill leading up to the February deadline. They have needs on the defensive end. However, LA can be picky about its options and rightly so. It has one first-round pick to trade and multiple expiring contracts, which should be used for the perfect trade only.

    The market for 3-and-D wings is limited, especially the kind the Lakers are eyeing. They need legitimate snipers from 3-point range who are athletic, can put the ball on the floor, and play just as well off the ball, while defending at an elite level.

    While unlikely, we propose three bold mock trades for the Lakers to consider, given their needs and a slim hope that these players become available closer to the trade deadline.

    Lakers Trade Rumors: 3 Bold Proposals LA Should Make

    #3 Keldon Johnson, Spurs

    Keldon Johnson is having a remarkable season for the Spurs as a key bench piece, averaging 2.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. He’s shooting 57.2%, including 35.2% from 3. He’s not a world-class defender, but Johnson moves better than Rui Hachimura on that end, as a more traditional small forward.

    Johnson’s offensive game is also versatile. While he’s not as clinical from 3 as Hachimura, he can be a threat as a floor spacer. Johnson also brings a burst of energy every time he plays, which allows the Spurs to tackle lean stretches.

    It also makes him a much better rebounder and crasher than Hachimura has been. From a fit standpoint, Johnson makes more sense on the Lakers roster than Hachimura, as LA has a surplus of defensive power forwards with Luka Doncic and LeBron James also profiling as fours.

    Johnson is also a year younger than Hachimura, so he fits the Lakers’ timeline around Doncic and Austin Reaves.

    Here’s the mock trade proposal for Johnson to the Lakers:

    Spurs receive:

    Lakers receive:

    #2 Peyton Watson, Nuggets

    Peyton Watson could hit the market at the deadline. According to reports, the Nuggets may not be able to afford him in restricted free agency. The ideal option could be to deal with him and get assets in return. The Lakers can swoop in with an offer involving their 2032 first-round pick and Jake LaRavia.

    LaRavia has been a solid connecting piece on the Nuggets due to his versatility. He’s not shooting the ball as well as he would’ve liked, but he can be better in Denver’s system, which is significantly more organized than LA’s.

    The 2032 first would be as valuable as it could be for the Nuggets, who don’t have a pick to trade until the next offseason due to the Stepien rule. Denver can use this Lakers pick in another trade at the deadline or in the offseason.

    As for the Lakers, Watson would immediately become a contributor off the bench. He’s an athletic two-way player, averaging 10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.1 blocks on 50.3% shooting, including 39.1% from beyond the arc.

    Here’s the proposed trade sending Watson to the Lakers:

    Nuggets receive:

    • Jake LaRavia
    • 2032 first-round pick

    Lakers receive:

    #1 Lu Dort, Thunder

    Lu Dort would be a dream target for the Lakers if the Thunder lose faith in the defensive ace. He was a first-team All-Defensive player last season but has significantly regressed this year. Dort’s shoulder and adductor injuries have limited him from playing at his ceiling.

    It has backfired on OKC, which has lost two of its last three games after going 24-1. It’s an unlikely scenario, but if the Thunder make him available, the Lakers should call for Dort by offering Hachimura, a first, a swap and a second-round pick. It would be a straight swap as Dort is making $18.2 million this year, while Hachimura is earning $18.3 million.

    Dort is averaging 7.7 ppg on 35.0% shooting and 29.8% from 3-point range, so he’s clearly not the better offensive player than Hachimura, who is knocking down 45.6% of his attempts from long range.

    Nevertheless, Dort is an elite defender and despite his shortcomings this year, he would be LA’s go-to option on that end. Dort is also positionally versatile as he can play from two through four.

    Here’s the trade proposal sending Dort to LA:

    Thunder receive:

    • Rui Hachimura
    • 2030 first-round pick swap
    • 2031 first-round pick swap
    • 2032 second-round pick

    Lakers receive: