The 2024-25 season could be one of the most intense in recent history for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James will be turning 40, first-year head coach JJ Redick will face significant pressure despite lacking high-level coaching experience, and the team will be focused on recovering from a first-round playoff exit.
While pressure can drive great teams to new heights, failure to meet expectations might lead to a major trade that could reshape the team.
If the Lakers find themselves needing to make improvements as the trade deadline approaches, the harsh reality is that a valuable player might have to be traded. While Anthony Davis and LeBron James are secure as the franchise’s key players, most others are not guaranteed safety.
This raises a crucial question: Which Lakers players could be traded if the team doesn’t meet its goals in the 2024-25 season?
Rui Hachimura
The Lakers would likely prefer to avoid trading Rui Hachimura, but that might not be entirely within their control. Hachimura, one of the team’s standout players, has a highly appealing multi-year contract that the Lakers might be willing to trade.
As teams seek to leverage the Lakers in trade discussions, Hachimura is almost certain to be a key piece in those negotiations. At 26 years old, he offers positional versatility with a mix of size, strength, and skill. Standing 6’8″ and weighing 230 pounds, with a 7’2″ wingspan and a near-elite jumper, he embodies the modern 3-4 hybrid forward.
Last season, Hachimura averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers per game in just 26.4 minutes of play, shooting 42.2 percent from beyond the arc. When adjusted to 36 minutes, his stats translate to 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 three-pointers, highlighting his value and potential. His contract, a three-year, $51 million deal expiring in 2026, is also relatively team-friendly.
Given his contract’s flexibility and his promising upside, Hachimura could be a likely candidate for trade if the Lakers face challenges. He is under significant pressure to advance his performance and help prevent such a scenario.
D’Angelo Russell
The Los Angeles Lakers’ most probable trade candidate is D’Angelo Russell, who is already being actively discussed in trade talks across the NBA. At 28, Russell is a highly productive point guard, but his underwhelming postseason performances have led to speculation about a possible trade.
With his contract expiring, Russell’s trade value is expected to increase as the deadline approaches, making him a strong candidate for a trade either during or before the 2024-25 season.
Russell had a standout regular season in 2023-24 with the Lakers, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers per game, while shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc and 82.8 percent from the free-throw line. He set a franchise record with 226 three-pointers in a season and boasted the second-best three-point shooting percentage among the top 20 in the NBA for makes.
However, his playoff performance was disappointing, highlighted by a 0-of-7 shooting night in a crucial Game 3 loss to the Denver Nuggets, and a 2-of-10 shooting performance from three-point range in the series-ending 108-106 loss.
Despite being somewhat undervalued in the current trade rumors, the Lakers are actively exploring his trade options. Waiting until closer to the trade deadline might be the best strategy for maximizing the return on Russell.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Jarred Vanderbilt signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension after the 2022-23 season. As the 2024-25 season begins, it will be the first year of this new deal, but it could also be his last with the Los Angeles Lakers if the team faces tough decisions.
The unfortunate reality for Vanderbilt is that his strong performance could increase the likelihood of him being traded if the Lakers are struggling. This is a common challenge for role players in the NBA: personal success that doesn’t translate to team success can make a player too valuable to keep. Although it may not seem fair, this is the situation Vanderbilt faces in a crucial season for both him and the Lakers during LeBron James’ tenure.
If the Lakers are winning regularly and Vanderbilt is performing well individually, he might avoid trade talks due to his defensive versatility. However, one complicating factor is that Vanderbilt’s contract is one of the most trade-friendly on the team. His salary is expected to account for less than eight percent of the salary cap each year over the four seasons, which could make him appealing to other teams.
If the Lakers have an opportunity to trade for a player who upgrades another position, Vanderbilt could be included in the deal due to the favorable terms of his contract.
Gabe Vincent
If Rui Hachimura isn’t the player under the most pressure to excel this season, it’s certainly Gabe Vincent. The Los Angeles Lakers made Vincent their major acquisition during the 2023 NBA offseason, signing him to a three-year, $33 million contract.
Unfortunately, Vincent only played 11 regular-season games in 2023-24 and struggled to regain his top form in time for the playoffs. With two years and $22.5 million left on his deal, he is now one of the Lakers’ most valuable trade assets. If he can remain healthy, teams will likely be interested in a proven postseason performer with solid defensive skills.
The Lakers are hoping it won’t come to that, as Vincent’s consistent presence could help the team make significant strides. He gained recognition with the Miami Heat, notably scoring 20 points in four games during their 2023 NBA Finals run. Along with his big-game ability, Vincent is known for his tough defense, using his 200-pound frame and 6’7″ wingspan to challenge perimeter shooters.
However, if Vincent doesn’t perform up to expectations, the Lakers might consider including his affordable contract in a trade for an upgrade during the 2024-25 season. It’s a tough reality, but it’s part of the effort to maximize the remaining opportunities to win with LeBron James.
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