Lakers predicted to trade for two-time NBA Champion in blockbuster deal
As the NBA world settles in for its marquee Christmas Day slate, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly exploring a roster-shaking move that would redefine the Western Conference power structure. Despite a strong 19-9 start to the 2025-26 campaign, internal concerns regarding the team’s defensive consistency—statistically ranking near the bottom of the league—have prompted the front office to look across the hall. The latest buzz points to a blockbuster three-team proposal that would land two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in purple and gold.
The proposed framework, which has gained traction among league insiders, involves the Lakers, the struggling Los Angeles Clippers, and the Brooklyn Nets. In this scenario, the Lakers would acquire Leonard to form arguably the most potent trio in basketball history alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić. To make the salaries work, the Lakers would part with key rotation pieces Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent, along with a 2030 first-round pick swap sent to the Clippers. The Nets would facilitate the deal by absorbing Maxi Kleber and Dalton Knecht, receiving draft compensation for their trouble.
For the Clippers, who have plummeted to a dismal 8-22 record, the trade signals a long-overdue pivot toward a full rebuild. Moving Leonard, who has three years and roughly $149 million remaining on his contract, would clear the books and return young assets and draft capital necessary for a fresh start. Conversely, the Lakers view Leonard as the ultimate ceiling-raiser. While his injury history remains a gamble, his ability to lock down opposing wings and generate offense in the clutch addresses the Lakers' most glaring needs.
If executed, this trade would effectively end the "Battle of LA" by consolidating the city's star power onto one roster. The prospect of Leonard patrolling the perimeter while Dončić and James orchestrate the offense is a terrifying thought for the rest of the league, potentially turning the Lakers into an overwhelming juggernaut just in time for the postseason push.
The proposed framework, which has gained traction among league insiders, involves the Lakers, the struggling Los Angeles Clippers, and the Brooklyn Nets. In this scenario, the Lakers would acquire Leonard to form arguably the most potent trio in basketball history alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić. To make the salaries work, the Lakers would part with key rotation pieces Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent, along with a 2030 first-round pick swap sent to the Clippers. The Nets would facilitate the deal by absorbing Maxi Kleber and Dalton Knecht, receiving draft compensation for their trouble.
For the Clippers, who have plummeted to a dismal 8-22 record, the trade signals a long-overdue pivot toward a full rebuild. Moving Leonard, who has three years and roughly $149 million remaining on his contract, would clear the books and return young assets and draft capital necessary for a fresh start. Conversely, the Lakers view Leonard as the ultimate ceiling-raiser. While his injury history remains a gamble, his ability to lock down opposing wings and generate offense in the clutch addresses the Lakers' most glaring needs.
If executed, this trade would effectively end the "Battle of LA" by consolidating the city's star power onto one roster. The prospect of Leonard patrolling the perimeter while Dončić and James orchestrate the offense is a terrifying thought for the rest of the league, potentially turning the Lakers into an overwhelming juggernaut just in time for the postseason push.
