Lakers Predicted To Land $60,000,000 All-Star in Blockbuster Trade Involving Rui Hachimura
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season.
With a record of 13-4 entering Friday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have been thriving since opening night, while LeBron James has meshed nicely since his return from injury.
If the Lakers want even more star power on their roster, they could look to trade for an All-Star center in the Eastern Conference.
Lakers Predicted To Land Kristaps Porzingis
The Atlanta Hawks entered the year with high expectations for their new-look roster surrounding guard Trae Young. Fast forward to late November, and the Hawks are in a solid position with a record of 11-8. Not to mention, this is largely without Young, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since October 31.
PFSN’s Noah Rubin predicts Atlanta could shake up their core by trading big man Kristaps Porzingis to the Lakers. The proposed trade details are as follows:
Lakers receive: Kristaps Porzingis
Hawks receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2026 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
“The Hawks are at a crossroads,” Rubin wrote. “They have the rights to the Pelicans’ first-round pick and could potentially add an elite prospect next summer with some luck. They’ve been playing pretty well (but not great) without Trae Young, but they also have a better record when Porzingis hasn’t played this season.”
Rubin continued, “They could certainly look to flip Porzingis after not giving up much to acquire him this summer and add a third first-round pick in a loaded class. That wouldn’t require them to move on from Young, but it certainly gives them the flexibility.”
This trade would clearly signal the start of a retooling, or possibly a full rebuild around Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. Johnson is having a breakout campaign, averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7 assists on 54.7% shooting and 38.6% shooting from three-point range.
Bringing in Hachimura and Vincent are certainly solid rotational additions, but the real appeal for Atlanta is the draft capital.
Given Young has appeared in just five games this season, it feels a bit soon for the Hawks to give up on this version of the team. Keeping Porzingis around for the full 2025-2026 season could lead to Young taking the Hawks deep in the postseason once again.
Giving up two first-round picks for Porzingis is quite the sacrifice for the Lakers. Considering how adamant the front office has been about building around Dončić and focusing on the future, this is a steep price for a 30-year-old on an expiring contract. Porzingis is in the final season of a two-year, $60 million deal.
He is averaging 18.7 points and 5.9 rebounds on 48.1% shooting in 12 appearances with the Hawks. There’s no doubt he would fit nicely alongside Dončić and James, but then again, who wouldn’t?
