The Los Angeles Lakers continue to monitor all angles in trade and the open market to further complete their post-LeBron James transition.

One proposed trade has them landing versatile wing Devin Vassell from the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers would be engaging in a direct trade for this to work. 

In the trade framework, the Lakers would acquire Vassell while sending out Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy and Bronny James to San Antonio. 

This deal would move Vassell away from San Antonio for the first time in his NBA career since being drafted No. 11 overall in 2020. 

While the Lakers have done decent business so far in the offseason, surrounding Luka Doncic with the best pieces is still a work in progress.

Lakers’ Bronny James Trade Lands Spurs Wing

GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before a season opening game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

The Lakers are reportedly opening up some roster slots for more incoming players this offseason. This means that a number of their players are trade chips as things stand. Vanderbilt is a notable one, sitting on a salary of $12.4 million for 2026-27. 

Vanderbilt has been a solid contributor, but the Lakers have always had him as a moving piece for any major swing. Hardy just joined from the Washington Wizards as part of the DeAndre Ayton trade and is a low-cost depth option.

For James, the Lakers guaranteed his salary for 2026-27 at $2.3 million, which also makes him an inexpensive rotational piece. However, staying in L.A. when his immediate impact is not yet sure looks unlikely, coupled with his father’s departure. 

Vassell is still committed to San Antonio, having signed a five-year, $135 million extension in 2023. The Lakers’ outgoing pieces will fall a little short of matching his salary, but not so seriously as to affect the cap space. 

If San Antonio sees it fit to clear Vassell’s deal for much more flexibility, this framework can work. Although the Lakers may have to include a future draft asset to further sweeten the deal, the wing was a vital contributor to a Spurs roster that made the NBA Finals.

Flipping three pieces for one would mean that Los Angeles would continue its search to fill the roster spot. The front office has already shown that they’ll explore a lot of free agency signings. Veteran center Kevon Looney recently signed a one-year deal as a backup center. 

Vassell’s Addition Boosts Lakers’ Perimeter Options and Fit

GettySAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 04: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after missing a shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half at Frost Bank Center on April 04, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Lakers have been reportedly linked with several wing options this offseason. With James gone as well as Rui Hachimura, their wing depth has thinned to the extent of having Quentin Grimes as the current starting small forward. He is more naturally a guard. 

At 6-foot-5, Vassell is also technically listed as a guard but is also a small forward and would bring versatility to the wings. At 25, he is still young but quite seasoned, guaranteeing a long-term, consistent contribution.

He does have secondary scoring and creation potential, which was evident with the arrival of Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. However, his numbers have dropped with backcourt players like De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle joining the fold.

Vassell would improve L.A.’s perimeter defense as well as stretch the floor for stars like Doncic and Austin Reaves to explore spaces. 

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The Los Angeles Lakers are positioned to make a swing for a wing addition this offseason. With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura gone, L.A.’s small forward position has been left vacant for now.

One name that has been linked as a target is Denver Nuggets star, Peyton Watson. The young versatile wing has come up as one of the options in free agency and has gained interest around the league.

In a hypothetical scenario, the Lakers would acquire Watson through sign and trade and send out Jarred Vanderbilt, Bronny James, Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy to Denver, along with a 2032 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks (2031 and 2032 via Washington Wizards).

The Lakers have focused on more attainable additions in recent weeks. The franchise may be open to revisiting links with Watson and putting forward an offer to the Nuggets. 

Lakers’ Peyton Watson Sign-and-Trade Package

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Watson, 23, is not a regular free agent. The Nuggets tendered a qualifying offer on his expiring deal to make him a restricted free agent. This means that they are open to match any offer that comes his way. However, a sign and trade scenario is not totally undoable.

Watson’s camp is reportedly seeking a salary in the annual range of over $20 million. With Denver’s current cap constraints and repeater tax concerns, taking on such a deal over a projected four-year span is almost unfeasible.

The Lakers can open up a much-needed space to accommodate Watson while sending out pieces with lesser long-term commitments to Denver. Vanderbilt has two years left in his contract with a player option for 2027-28. Hardy also has a player option for that same season with a lesser salary of $6 million. 

Knecht’s deal also runs out in 2027-28, after which he becomes a restricted free agent, while James’ salary was guaranteed at $2.3 million for 2026-27. This gives the Nuggets a chance to have future flexibility instead of another long-term commitment. 

The Lakers would also give up draft assets in this deal as a sweetener. The future first in 2032 is one of their more valuable draft chips at the moment and they could play that card to get an immediate two-way talent. 

Watson Makes a Strong Case as an Upgrade

GettyThe Nuggets have set a massive price to pry Peyton Watson away from Denver.

Watson just completed a breakout season in Denver. His number jumped significantly after he spent his first three years integrating into the league. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in 54 games played. He also shot 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc.

Watson had more starting roles due to injuries, most notably to Aaron Gordon. He took his chance well, which is why the Nuggets want him to remain. His trajectory could be an upgrade for the Lakers in their wing position.

Watson also started from a winning culture as a rookie in the Nuggets’ 2023 title run. Although he sparingly played, staying around that strong core helped raise his ceiling, which came out when he was handed more consistent starting minutes. 

Watson would offer greater defensive upside and playmaking growth compared to Hachimura. He thrived off-ball alongside stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. This means he would have a smooth transition with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 

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The Los Angeles Lakers are currently looking at Jonathan Kuminga as the top forward option in free agency. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Kuminga is requesting more money than they can afford or are looking to invest in him. One noteworthy name has emerged as a true “backup plan” for potentially missing out on Kuminga via the free agent market at an affordable price.

Former Denver Nuggets champion role player Bruce Brown has emerged as the top backup plan for the Lakers. Sports illustrated’s Ryan Ward reported the following about the Lakers current plan:

“There’s mutual interest between Kuminga and the Lakers, and the Hawks are open to a deal, but Kuminga’s contract demands could be a problem that ends Los Angeles’ pursuit. Bruce Brown isn’t a bad option. He doesn’t bring the size that Kuminga or [Robert Williams] do, but Brown has championship experience, along with being a decent rebounder and defender, and can be another reliable ball handler off the bench.”

Brown only becomes a priority to the Lakers in free agency if they officially give up on the chase to acquire Kuminga. The current free agent market sees Brown without a clear path. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka may be able to acquire Brown at a minimum contract to make him a better value than Kuminga.

How The Lakers Can Still Get Jonathan Kuminga

The Lakers are still hoping to acquire Kuminga as the biggest forward on the free agent market and for the highest upside of all available names. Kuminga will have to work out a sign and trade with the Atlanta Hawks or let his former team completely renounce him once the Lakers make an offer in this scenario

Atlanta does not seem seriously interested in keeping Kuminga unless he and his agent drop their current asking price. The Golden State Warriors traded Kuminga to the Hawks this past deadline after a controversial end to his tenure with the team.

One concern for the Lakers would be that two teams passed on keeping the young promising forward within the past season alone. Multiple teams not believing in Kuminga’s ability to harness that talent into NBA success could create concern to avoid paying him a noteworthy contract.

The Process Of Getting Bruce Brown

The current plan of Brown and his team appears to be to let free agency play out and wait until teams are desperate to add one more forward. Brown contributed to the Nuggets winning the 2023 NBA championship and was more recently a role player for last year’s playoff team as well.

Good teams will value having a player like Brown on their roster especially if they need another rotation player. Brown and his camp fully expect the Lakers and other contending teams to look at him once they run out of more expensive options.

The price will likely be affordable to see the Lakers reaching out the second after they give up on Kuminga chase. Other hopeful contending rosters lacking depth like the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics may easily enter the race to make it more difficult for the Lakers if they wait too long.

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