The Lakers are back in trade mode, and this time, the focus is clear: they want a two-way wing who can contribute on both ends of the floor. With the Western Conference playoff picture still wide open and the Lakers very much in the mix for a top-four seed, the front office is trying to thread the needle-make a move that helps now without sacrificing the long-term trajectory.
The pieces reportedly on the table? Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent.
According to recent league chatter, the Lakers are actively shopping a package centered around those two in hopes of landing a wing who can offer more offensive punch without giving up too much defensively. It’s a move that makes sense when you look at how the roster has been performing.
Let’s start with Vanderbilt. He’s long been praised for his defensive versatility-he can guard multiple positions, brings energy, and doesn’t shy away from physical matchups.
But offensively, he’s been a tough fit. His limited scoring ability has made him a target for opposing defenses, especially in half-court sets.
Earlier in the season, those offensive struggles even saw him fall out of the rotation. But with the Lakers slipping on defense, Vando has been reinserted into the lineup, logging double-digit minutes nightly.
He’s averaging 5.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season-not eye-popping numbers, but his value has always been more about the intangibles and hustle plays. Still, the Lakers appear ready to move on, especially given his contract situation. Vanderbilt is under contract for next season and holds a player option for the year after, so moving him now could offer some financial flexibility down the line.
Gabe Vincent, meanwhile, was brought in to provide scoring and shot creation off the bench, but so far, it hasn’t panned out. He’s averaging 5.1 points per game and shooting just 33.7% from the field-a far cry from the offensive spark the Lakers were hoping for. The good news for any potential trade partner: Vincent’s deal is expiring, so there’s no long-term financial commitment.
The question is, how much value does a package of Vanderbilt and Vincent really hold on the open market? On their own, probably not enough to bring back a high-impact wing. But the Lakers may be looking to sweeten the pot.
There’s talk that Los Angeles is exploring the idea of trading their 2032 first-round pick in exchange for multiple future firsts. If they can pull that off, they’d have more draft capital to work with-something that could make a Vando-Vincent deal a lot more attractive to teams looking to build for the future.
This is the kind of chess move the Lakers have made before-leveraging contracts, future picks, and role players to retool around stars. With LeBron James still playing at a high level and Anthony Davis anchoring both ends of the floor, the window for contention is still open. But time is ticking.
Whether this particular trade package leads to a deal remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the Lakers are active, and they’re looking for help on the wing. Now it’s up to the front office to find the right partner and make it happen.