Lakers predicted to trade Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt for $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion

Lakers predicted to trade Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt for $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA this summer. The front office has remained aggressive, trading away Deandre Ayton while acquiring Walker Kessler.

The 2026-27 season also marks the beginning of a new era in Los Angeles, with LeBron James set to play elsewhere. It is now officially Luka Doncic’s team. However, the Lakers are far from finished making moves, as they have reportedly placed two young players on the trade block.

“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.

The Lakers also remain active in free agency. One player they have been heavily linked to is former Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

“There is mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers, per Jovan Buha. Los Angeles continues to work behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition,” Sidery posted.

A sign-and-trade involving Kuminga could include Vanderbilt and Knecht heading out of Los Angeles. ESPN’s Anthony Slater believes that remains a realistic possibility.

“That could include sign-and-trade opportunities involving the Hawks. Atlanta remains open to facilitating a move that would help Kuminga keep his Bird rights and get a contract he desires, but Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh would need to be incentivized to make such a move, team sources said. The Lakers have several contracts they could send out to generate a bigger offer — including those of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy — but would presumably need to attach at least one of their remaining assets (three second-round draft picks and a 2032 first-round pick swap) to make that happen,” Slater wrote.

For Knecht and Vanderbilt, a trade could provide an opportunity to join a team where they would have larger roles and be viewed as key contributors. For Kuminga, it would present the chance to play alongside one of the league’s premier guards in Doncic while taking on a significant role in Los Angeles.

Kuminga was on a $46 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks before the team declined its option. The former NBA champion could now have the opportunity to revive his career with the Lakers, where he has reportedly been pitched a significant role.

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