Lakers linked to trade for $87 million former Knicks crowd-pleasing center, NBA champion

Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It’s a true shame that Deandre Ayton couldn’t consistently deliver in his first season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The former No. 1 overall pick’s erratic behavior often drew extreme criticism throughout the year. If the Lakers want to pivot during free agency, the Athletic's Dan Woike is under the impression that the organization could swing a trade for a former New York Knicks crowd-pleasing center and NBA champion.

“Does Yves Missi have the right set of skills to completely thrive in a Doncic system,” Woike wrote Sunday. “It seems like it. Can he do it in high-leverage moments as Daniel Gafford and Derrick Lively II did in Dallas (Mavericks)? Very ‘to be determined.” 

“I’m skeptical that Cleveland (Cavaliers), in an effort to ease financial problems, would rid itself of its starting center in Jarrett Allen without having a great line on a different starting center.”

“I also think Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein are far more likely to return to their teams than to enter free agency. If Hartenstein were gettable, it’d almost certainly have to be via trade after the Oklahoma City Thunder exercise their team option, the Lakers then arming Oklahoma City with more draft capital."

Hartenstein made a name for himself in New York as an easy-to-root-for energy guy who did all the dirty work and protected the rim well for two seasons, and he hasn’t looked back since.

The former second-round pick joined the Thunder in 2024-25 and not only recorded a double-double for the first time in his career, but also won a hard-fought championship as a key frontcourt contributor. 

Hartenstein proved to be valuable for the Thunder again this year, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooitng 62.2% from the field on an Oklahoma City squad that reached the Western Conference Finals.

Needless to say, the Lakers should monitor Hartenstein’s contract decision closely this summer (he has a $28.5 million team option, and the Thunder’s handling of it will have major implications on his future with the franchise).

More NBA news:

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• Spurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion

• Luka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore