By August most of the big NBA trades have already happened. But perhaps there should be one more. This time involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers’ offseason started shakily after failing to land several potential free agency targets. However, they have bounced back, making several smart signings, and superstar Luka Doncic looks like he’s fully bought into his new team after losing significant weight this summer.
That bodes well for the Lakers, while the Blazers bought back Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, giving them veterans to balance out a young roster that was shockingly good during the second half of last season. That leads up to a proposed trade involving the Lakers and Blazers.
The Lakers bolster defense in potential swap with the Blazers
The proposed trade would see the Lakers trade Gabe Vincent, Max Kleber, Dalton Knecht, a 2028 pick swap, and a 2032 second to the Blazers. In exchange, they would receive Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle.
At first glance, it seems like a lot for the Lakers to give up, even though they would likely be getting the best players in the deal. The trade may not be so lopsided, however. For starters, the 2028 pick swap may not be that big of an asset for the Blazers and isn’t a huge risk for the Lakers to give up.
Odds are the Lakers are going to be very good in three years, while the Blazers should be a playoff team too. Still, if something unexpected were to happen, the Blazers could swap picks if they end up with the better record. Meanwhile, Knecht’s value has dropped like a stone after a poor showing at Summer League.
But if he can at least be a serviceable rotation player who can drill shots—which is his best skill—then he would be worth trading two expirings for. Particularly with Portland getting a distant second rounder to boot.
The Lakers desperately need what Thybulle and Williams provide
From the Lakers’ perspective, the reasons for making this move are obvious. Williams is damaged goods as far as value, but when he was last healthy, he was an above-average starting center who was a terrific defensive player and passer.
Adding him to the Lakers’ center core of Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, and Christian Koloko on a two-way would give them options. If Williams pans out, then he would make for a perfect backup center, pushing Hayes down in the rotation.
If he doesn’t, then he’s on an expiring contract, so no harm done. As for Thybulle, he is a terrific defender but hasn’t developed enough offensively to make himself untradeable.
Bringing him in as a second-unit wing stopper would boost the Lakers’ defense without costing them major assets or precious 2026 cap space. Ultimately, there is enough in this trade for both the Blazers and Lakers to make this deal a reality.
