The Los Angeles Lakers have scoured the market and come up empty so far this summer. Their only major additions to the roster have come through rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, with only Knecht being capable of contributing as a rotational player. Outside of that, the Lakers are running it back with all their players from last season’s first-round exit coming back.

The Lakers couldn’t land a long list of players headlined by Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield, with other Lakers players like D’Angelo Russell reportedly having minimal trade value. Teams in the West like the Warriors are trying to acquire Utah Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen. To avoid getting jumped by another rival, the Lakers might need to overpay to blow the Jazz away and create their own big three in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Lauri Markannen

Utah Jazz Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)

This deal might just be irresponsible on Rob Pelinka’s part to execute given the long-term equity he’s throwing away for a win-now player to maximize the final few seasons of LeBron James and Anthony Davis in their prime. However, this is the only deal that the Jazz would likely accept given what they’re turning down from the Warriors, and is a deal that would genuinely transform the Lakers into short-term contenders.