The Lakers Pelicans could be a trade target in the offseason
The Los Angeles Lakers he remained mostly quiet during the NBA trade deadline, making one small move sending Gabe Vincent and a pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luke Kennard. Doc Kennard had a solid first few games in Los Angeles, is unlikely to significantly change the course of the Lakers’ 2025-26 season.
After an early playoff exit that many expect to happen in a few months, the Lakers will have a lot more flexibility to turn around a reasonable roster around Luka Doncic, and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints recently broke down one name Los Angeles could pursue to add to their frontcourt depth.
“One team I’d like to mention that has been interested in Yves Mission over the last year is the Los Angeles Lakers. They’re going to be in the market for a center, and they might be able to get Mission on the cheap for a first-round pick,” Siegel told Clutch Scoops, according to ClutchPoints on X, formerly Twitter.
The New Orleans Pelicans floated Missy’s name in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, specifically talking to the Chicago Bullsbut ultimately didn’t make a move on his 2024 first-round draft pick.
The Lakers, meanwhile, were associated with Missy dates back to last summer.
Missy would certainly provide an upgrade over DeAndre Ayton and Jackson Hayes in the Lakers’ frontcourt, as he checks many of the same boxes that Derek Lively II and Daniel Gafford did as Doncic’s partners with the Dallas Mavericks.
In addition to the trade market, the Lakers should also have a lot more free agency cap space in the offseason when LeBron James is either off the books or returns with a significantly reduced contract. Currently, the Lakers have not been able to build a true contender around Doncic due to the presence of the huge salaries he and James are making.
Either way, the Lakers will next take the floor at home on Friday night against the rival Los Angeles Clippers.
2026-02-19 23:25:00
