Now, with LeBron turning 41 this December and entering his 23rd NBA season, the Lakers’ front office is feeling the pressure. And the answer to their championship hopes may come in the form of a 7-foot sharpshooting All-Star from Utah: Lauri Markkanen.
🧩 Lakers’ New Plan: A True “Big Three”
According to league sources and NBA insiders, the Lakers have explored a blockbuster trade proposal that would land them Markkanen, the Utah Jazz forward currently in the final year of a four-year, $67.5 million contract but due for a massive extension expected to surpass $238 million.
The trade would pair Markkanen—one of the NBA’s most versatile offensive 7-footers—with Dončić and James, instantly forming one of the league’s most skilled trios. It would give LeBron a true stretch-four teammate, taking pressure off the aging superstar and allowing the Lakers to reimagine their offense under incoming head coach JJ Redick.
Proposed Trade (Speculative):
•Lakers receive: Lauri Markkanen
•Jazz receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick, 2031 First-Round Pick (pick swap), salary filler (e.g., Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt)
While not yet official or imminent, the framework of such a deal would satisfy the financial and talent demands of both sides, depending on Utah’s long-term rebuild direction.
💰 The Salary Cap Squeeze & the Apron Dilemma
The Lakers’ finances are already stretched thin. With their current payroll, the team sits approximately $59.8 million over the cap, just $4.5 million under the first luxury tax apron, and $16.2 million under the second apron—a line teams are terrified of crossing under the new CBA due to the harsh roster-building restrictions it imposes.
Acquiring Markkanen and giving him an eventual max extension—likely starting at over $53 million annually—would further push the Lakers into luxury tax territory. But for a franchise with championship aspirations and the commercial might to absorb those penalties, it might be a gamble worth making.
“This isn’t about a rebuild. This is about maximizing what LeBron has left,” one Western Conference exec said. “And pairing him with Luka and Lauri could be terrifying for the rest of the league.”
🧠 Why Markkanen Makes Sense
Since being traded from Chicago to Cleveland and then to Utah, Lauri Markkanen has flourished. In 2023–24, he averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.6% from three. He’s not just a shooter—he’s a mobile big who can handle the ball, defend multiple positions, and space the floor in ways Anthony Davis never consistently could.
He fits perfectly alongside Dončić, who thrives when surrounded by shooters, and LeBron, who can operate more freely with spacing from the perimeter. Markkanen also gives the Lakers a true modern big who doesn’t clog the lane—key for a team wanting to keep the paint open for Dončić drives and LeBron’s post work.
🕰️ The Clock Is Ticking
For LeBron, time is the enemy. He turns 41 on December 30 and is already defying everything we know about athletic longevity. Yet even Superman has a shelf life. The Lakers must strike while they still have an elite version of him—and Luka Dončić is clearly ready to lead the next generation of purple and gold.
The idea behind the Dončić acquisition was to transition from LeBron’s era to Luka’s without a full rebuild. But after their 2025 playoff flop, it’s clear the Lakers need more than two stars. They need a third piece.
“You can’t rely on just LeBron and Luka,” an anonymous scout said. “This league is too deep now. You need three weapons.”
🔍 What’s Holding the Deal Back?
There are a few hurdles to clear:
•Utah’s Ask: The Jazz may ask for more than Reaves, Hachimura, and future picks, especially if other teams (like the Knicks or Thunder) join the bidding.
•Financial Complexity: The Lakers would likely push into second apron territory, limiting future flexibility and midseason trades.
•Markkanen’s Extension: L.A. would need confidence that Markkanen will sign long-term. Otherwise, it’s too risky for a player in a contract year.
Yet despite the complications, the move makes basketball and strategic sense for the Lakers. And if history tells us anything, this is a franchise that has never been afraid to chase a big name.
🎯 Final Thoughts: All-In or Go Home
The Lakers are standing at a fork in the road. One path leads to “wait and see”—and risks wasting LeBron’s twilight. The other path involves bold moves, financial risk, and front-office creativity.
Acquiring Lauri Markkanen would be a declaration: L.A. is not here to gracefully fade into transition. They want to win now and transition into the future with a core of Dončić and Markkanen.
The Big Three era may not be over after all. In L.A., it might just be reloaded.
