By Evan MasseyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberTo this point in the young 2025-26 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have looked good. Right now, they hold an 11-4 record and appear to be a potential contender in the Western Conference.
While the team has looked good, there are always ways to improve. If Rob Pelinka, the team's general manager, showed the fans anything last year by trading for Luka Doncic, it's the fact that he wants to win championship again.
Keeping that in mind, could the Lakers potentially look to make another big-time trade ahead of the deadline this year?
Read more: Warriors Predicted to Cut Ties with $47 Million Forward By Trade Deadline
Looking at the roster, there are a few areas for potential improvement. Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton are a great core. Adding a power forward might make some sense.
...How about a blockbuster trade for Utah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkanen?
That is exactly what Sports Illustrated's Blake Silverman has suggested. He named Los Angeles as one of the potential suitors to acquire Markkanen via trade.
"The 28-year-old began a massive four-year, $195.8 million contract extension this season, which ties Markkanen to any acquiring team for three more seasons after this year as a potential building block for the future," Silverman wrote. "That means any team would have to be comfortable paying his massive salary through the 2028-29 season, but he could be the final piece for a team looking to compete for a title as early as this season."
At 28 years old, Markkanen might just be the perfect long-term running mate for Doncic. He has taken his game to an extremely high level over the last couple of years and has been playing excellent basketball so far this year.
In the 15 games he has played this season, Markkanen has averaged 29.9 points per game to go along with 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals. He has shot 48.5 percent from the floor and has knocked down 38.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Read more: Surprise East Team Emerging as Potential Landing Spot for Anthony Davis
Making the move to trade for Markkanen would not come cheap. There is no telling exactly what the Jazz would want in return from the Lakers, but a trade would come at a high cost. Perhaps Reaves would need to be a piece heading back to Utah.
Obviously, this is just an idea that could make some sense for Los Angeles and Markkanen. As the trade deadline draws closer, it would not be surprising to hear his name connected to the Lakers even more.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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