The Los Angeles Lakers have not made a lot of moves in the trade market this offseason. Although the front office made smart moves once free agency started. The team added Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. Both players were acquired in free agency after they finalized a contract buyout with their respective teams. Another acquisition for the Lakers was Jake LaRavia, who was signed as a free agent.
However, the Lakers, who are seen as a title contender, haven’t done enough to bolster their roster. Earlier reports said that the team is planning on keeping the salary cap open for the 2027 free agency. This is why they haven’t made any significant moves, especially in the trade market.
The players the Lakers have acquired through free agency have received most of the attention.
An anonymous executive recently criticized the lack of movement from the Los Angeles Lakers in the trade market.
“They have not been attacking the trade market by any stretch of the imagination. Most teams now are in a sort-of wait-and-see mode, and I would include the Lakers in that. They want to give it some time before they make a trade,” the executive said.
Numerous players have been linked to the Lakers as a potential trade target. However, they have not entertained the rumors, doubling down on their plans to keep their roster intact and prepare for the 2027 free agency. LA is hoping they have enough room in their salary cap to pursue another star player to pair with Luka Doncic.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t planning on moving two key role players
The Los Angeles Lakers shut down the rumors about linking a potential trade involving two key role players: Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. NBA insider Sean Deveney reported that the Lakers didn’t push through in trading either of the two. Although they had a chance, they opted not to make it happen.
“Still, the feeling around the Lakers is that the team is pretty much set as it is, and that no major trades are forthcoming until the season gets rolling,” said Deveney. “The Lakers have had opportunities to include the likes of Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade packages already, but have declined to do so.”
The Lakers have had opportunities to include the likes of Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade packages already, but have declined to do so, per @SeanDeveney
“Still, the feeling around the Lakers is that the team is pretty much set as it is, and that no major trades are… pic.twitter.com/20mMMZc2v3
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 11, 2025
The Lakers believe the two players would still be instrumental as part of Doncic’s supporting cast moving forward. However, things could change. After all, the team surprised the entire NBA community when they traded for the Slovenian sensation last season.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
