3 Realistic Trade Targets For Lakers in 2025 Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2025 offseason as they search for ways to upgrade their roster and build around their superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

The Lakers are expected to make improvements to bolster their frontcourt via adding big-man depth, but they could potentially target other players at the guard and forward positions.

According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, several players could emerge as trade targets this summer.

“I see Jrue Holiday, Andrew Wiggins, Michael Porter Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., Royce O’Neale, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as potential guys that will be available because of their contracts — either due to the money, the years, their age, their performance last season,” Buha said on his Buha’s Block podcast.

Caldwell-Pope, Holiday, And Porter Jr. Not Realistic For Lakers

Earlier this month, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap.

The Magic are not expected to trade Caldwell-Pope this summer, according to multiple reports.

Then on Monday, the Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.

The Trail Blazers have already stated that they plan to keep Holiday and are not interested in trading him, so that kind of rules out the two-time All-Star for now.

Porter Jr. is an interesting trade candidate for the Lakers, but they would struggle to afford him. The six-year veteran has roughly $79 million remaining over the next two seasons of his five-year deal.

That leaves Wiggins, Jones, and O’Neale on Buha’s list.

Andrew Wiggins

In February, the Golden State Warriors traded Wiggins to the Miami Heat in the Jimmy Butler III trade at the deadline. The veteran wing averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 30.7 minutes in 60 games (all starts) split between the Warriors and Heat.

Per Spotrac, Wiggins is a cheaper alternative to Porter, as the former All-Star is set to enter the third season of his four-year, $109 million contract. His deal includes a base salary of $28.22 million for 2025-26 and a $30.16 million player option for 2026-27.

Buha had previously mentioned Wiggins as an “ideal fit” in Los Angeles. If Miami decides to move him for draft capital or a package featuring younger role players, the Lakers could be contenders.

Derrick Jones Jr.

Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. revived his career with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game on 52.6% shooting from the field and a career-best 35.6% from 3-point range in 2024-25.

In the Clippers’ 117-113 overtime loss to Boston on Jan. 22, he recorded a career-high 29 points on 12-of-20 (60%) shooting from the floor and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep.

Jones, 28, still has two years and $20 million remaining on his deal. His contract ultimately makes him one of the most affordable trade targets for the purple and gold.

Royce O’Neale

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly shopping Royce O’Neale after trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft, and five second-round picks.

Phoenix has “gauged the trade market” on O’Neale, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. O’Neale averaged 9.1 points and shot 40.6% from beyond the arc in 75 games (22 starts) for the Suns this past season.

The 32-year-old is owed a combined $32.62 million over the next three seasons, per Spotrac. He is slated to make $10.12 million in 2025-26, $10.87 million in 2026-27, and $11.62 million in 2027-28.

The Suns are expected to unload O’Neale this summer to retool their roster. Los Angeles could be the perfect fit for O’Neale alongside Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura.