NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers badly need a bigman?

 

As the 2026–27 regular season approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers face a glaring structural vulnerability. Despite building a high-octane perimeter engine around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, head coach JJ Redick’s roster remains dangerously thin in the frontcourt—particularly at the backup center spot behind newly acquired starter Walker Kessler and veteran Kevon Looney.

During Tuesday night's preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Kessler made his long-awaited Lakers debut and delivered an impressive performance anchored by elite rim protection and glass-cleaning.

However, Kessler’s promising showing only highlighted the drop-off behind him. With Looney managing a heavy physical workload and the Lakers lacking reliable third-string size, general manager Rob Pelinka is actively exploring trade avenues to secure additional frontline reinforcement before Opening Night.

The Primary Target: Chicago's Jalen Smith

Among potential options across the league, Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has emerged as a top trade target to bolster Los Angeles' second unit.

Jalen Smith’s Operational Profile: • Traditional Production (2025–26): 10.2 PPG | 6.7 RPG | 1.2 APG (53 Games / 21 Starts) • Shooting Efficiency: 48.3% FG | 37.3% 3PT (Pick-and-Pop Stretch-5) • Salary Cap Scale: $9.42 Million (Manageable middle-tier contract)

At 26 years old, Smith offers a versatile 6-foot-8 frame paired with a career 37.3% three-point stroke. His ability to pick-and-pop from deep while providing rebounding energy makes him an ideal rotational fit alongside either Kessler or Looney. However, whether Chicago is willing to move Smith before the season opener remains a central sticking point in negotiations.

The Consolidation Block: Four Names to Watch

To match Smith’s $9.42 million salary within rigid Second-Apron luxury tax rules, Los Angeles must package multiple outgoing contracts. Four specific names have surfaced on the trade block as primary trade ballast:

With the Lakers hard-capped and currently sitting one player over the league’s 15-man standard roster limit, packaging two outgoing contracts—such as Knecht and Hardy—for a single frontcourt asset solves two administrative problems simultaneously.

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