Lakers and Celtics make All-Star swap in shocking trade prediction

Is it possible for the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics to make a major deal happen...together?

With the Lakers desperate to go for one more title with LeBron James (assuming he doesn't retire), while also making Luka Doncic happy before he has to decide on his $46 million player option, next summer, general manager, Rob Pelinka is in for a massive summer.

Pelinka (and everyone else) knows the Lakers' biggest issue is the lack of having a starting-caliber big man, as was highlighted during their first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves when Rudy Gobert had the best game of his career in Game 5, which eliminated James, Doncic, and co.

The NBA's other most-storied franchise in the Celtics are also at a crossroads this summer as Jayson Tatum likely to miss all of the 2025-2026 campaign after tearing his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks. Tatum's absence coupled with new owner, Bill Chisholm desperate to get under the second apron to avoid paying a $500 million penalty, the likes of Jrue Holiday and/or Kristaps Porzingis could very well be on the outs in Boston.

With the two biggest franchises in the league in store for a major summer...are the combined 35-time NBA Champions perfect trade partners?

In a shocking trade proposal, Sports Illustrated's Seth Quinn ponders the idea of the Celtics shipping Kristaps Porzingis to the Lakers for some much-needed salary relief

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kristaps Porzingis, 2025 First-Round Pick (#28 overall)

Boston Celtics Receive: Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2025 Second-Round Pick (#55 overall)

While on the face of the deal it may seem insane for the Celtics to give up the likely best player in the trade while attaching a first-round pick to him. However, the trade would get the Celtics immediately under the second apron while also getting out of the near $3 million rookie scale deal for whomever they'd draft 28th overall in this summer's draft, in addition to an immediate top role player in Knecht, which would be needed with Tatum out for most of, if not the entire 2025-2026 season and the potential of Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser also being cap casualties, alongside Porzingis.

Meanwhile, the deal is seemingly a no-brainer for Rob Pelinka's club. The Lakers would be shipping out Dalton Knecht with two expiring deals in Vincent and Kleber to acquire the big they desperately need.