Lakers predicted to trade Dalton Knecht for $96M reliable shooter, former first-round pick

The Los Angeles Lakers are excited to officially enter the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves era after LeBron James decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers have made some major offseason additions, but they still have questions to answer before the season gets here.

The power forward position is the one with the most questions, as the Lakers missed out on Jonathan Kuminga. It is still unclear who LA will ultimately start at the position.

“Then, there is the power forward position. This is the last domino among the starting lineup that really does not have full clarity just yet. There are certainly players internally, and even externally, who could fill the vacancy," Lake Show Life's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.

The Lakers will likely try to trade for a starter. It is just a matter of which teams are willing to make a deal and who they want in return. The Lakers have been trying to move Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht throughout the summer.

“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

LA has missed out on all of its options to fill the starting power forward position. If they cannot find an external solution, they may have to turn to an in-house option. However, Heavy.com's Sai Mohan believes the Lakers could trade Jake LaRavia, Knecht and Vanderbilt to the Sacramento Kings for De’Andre Hunter.

“Lakers would receive: De’Andre Hunter. Kings would receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, 2022 second-round pick (via WAS),” Mohan wrote.

This would be an interesting deal for LA, as it would be a three-for-one trade, but it would also clear up the roster for other additions. The Lakers desperately need a starting power forward, and Hunter would give them a legitimate option at the position.

Hunter has made $96 million in his career up to this point. He is also a reliable shooter, which would give Doncic and Reaves another player to find on the offensive end. Hunter could fit right in with the Lakers as the organization looks to get younger while building around its new core.

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