Lakers Discussed Potential Blockbuster Trade for ‘Bona Fide Star’ Such as Trae Young, per Report

Los Angeles has two high-profile names in mind if they swing for the fences at the trade deadline.

Whether the Los Angeles Lakers can compete for an NBA title with the roster as it currently stands or by making a minor trade or two remains a popular debate. But if the team’s front office and VP of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, aren’t sold on that being the case, it appears they’ve already discussed the idea of swinging for the fences.

The Lakers have had internal discussions about sending three draft picks, paired with players already on the current roster, to land a “bona fide star,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who mentioned two specific names.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

While the Lakers have been linked to numerous players in recent months, most recently Young’s teammate Dejounte Murray, it would be a seismic move if the team were able to acquire Young or Mitchell. It also likely would signal that Pelinka and Co. are willing to give the three-star approach another shot by adding a high-profile name alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

While the 2021 acquisition of Russell Westbrook was a different scenario, and Mitchell and Young are much younger than the former Lakers guard, that deal didn’t pan out in any fashion. Regardless, potentially adding the Hawks or Cleveland Cavaliers stars to the mix in Los Angeles would make for must-see television, even if it seems like a longshot.