The Los Angeles Lakers, fresh off a disappointing playoff exit, are reportedly eyeing a trade for Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, aiming to bolster their lineup for a championship run. After they acquired Luka Doncic from the Mavericks, analysts believe that pairing him with LeBron James could reignite the Lakers' championship aspirations. Despite their third seed in the West, the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the playoffs.

Certain analysts suggest that trading Anthony Davis to the Mavericks might have opened up this opportunity to bring Markkanen into the fold. His versatility as a stretch-5 would complement Doncic and James well, providing much-needed scoring and rebounding capabilities. Markkanen, who averaged 19.0 points and 5.9 rebounds this past season, is seen as a key target to enhance the Lakers’ roster, especially considering their offensive struggles in recent playoffs.