The Los Angeles Lakers continue to look for ways to improve the team’s roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. With NBA free agency winding down, the Lakers may need to turn to the trade market if the franchise hopes to make any more significant moves.
Los Angeles already landed Deandre Ayton following his abrupt release by the Portland Trail Blazers. It would not be a surprise if the Lakers added another veteran big man to pair with Ayton.
Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman put together a potential three-team trade pitch that has the Lakers adding another defensive presence down low. The deal involves the Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.
Los Angeles lands Magic center Jonathan Isaac as part of the deal. Orlando adds some more shooting and offense by acquiring Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, a 2026 2nd round pick (via Hawks), a 2029 2nd round pick (from Atlanta, via Cleveland), and an unprotected 2031 1st round pick swap.
Atlanta adds Caleb Houstan from Orlando for helping to facilitate the three-team deal.
Let’s dive into how this NBA trade pitch would impact the Lakers.
The Lakers Already Tried to Trade Dalton Knecht During His Rookie Season
Knecht had an up-and-down first year with the Lakers after nearly being traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a deal for Mark Williams. The guard is off to a slow start during NBA Summer League, not that this reality would prompt Los Angeles to deal the sharpshooter.
Yet, the Lakers have already shown a willingness to move on from Knecht. Orlando bolstered the team’s shooting this offseason with the acquisition of Desmond Bane but could still look to add even more long-range threats.
Isaac is an interesting case study as his ceiling is quite impressive but this does not come without significant risk. The big man has battled injuries throughout his career.
This has prompted Orlando to play Isaac in limited minutes after missing two straight seasons from 2020 through 2022. Isaac played 15.4 minutes per game while appearing in 71 games, his highest number since 2019, during the 2024-25 season.
Magic Center Jonathan Isaac Comes With a Risky $59 Million Deal
The challenge is Isaac looked to have regressed for Orlando last season and appeared unplayable at times given his offensive struggles. Isaac shot a career-low 25.8% from behind the 3-point arc in 2024-25.
The Lakers would also be taking on a sizable contract by acquiring Isaac as the center has a four-year, $59 million deal that runs through the 2028-29 season. It would not be a surprise if the Magic protected themselves with language in Isaac’s deal that has insurance in case of injuries.
Isaac has shown capable of being a menace on defense, displaying the ability to guard multiple positions while being a presence at the rim. Orlando selected Isaac with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. Isaac admitted that adding 30 pounds of muscle last offseason turned out to hinder his game.
“I regret that decision, but it is what it is,” Isaac said in May, per Yahoo Sports. “Can’t take it back. I can just look forward to what I know I need to do this summer and get right.
“… So, I’m taking that into the summer to just focus on my game, focus on really getting in shape, shedding some weight and kind of getting back to where I was before.”
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