The Los Angeles Lakers are once again making aggressive moves to build around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks has floated a potential draft-day trade that could reshape their future. 

In a proposed three-team deal, the Lakers would part ways with promising young guard Dalton Knecht and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick to land the No. 8 and No. 36 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, a move designed to secure their center of the future: Khaman Maluach.

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Dalton Knecht, 2027 first-round pick (Top 4 protected, via Knicks)

According to Marks, the trade hinges on one key factor: whether Duke’s Khaman Maluach is still available when the No. 8 pick comes up. If he is, the Lakers won’t hesitate to strike, giving up Knecht and a distant future first to solve their biggest weakness, the center position.

Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations, made it clear after the team’s first-round playoff loss to Minnesota that adding size in the frontcourt was priority number one. The decision to trade their starting center at the deadline for a point guard left a glaring hole that opposing teams exploited. 

With only the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception available in free agency and the first apron restricting trades, the Lakers need to be creative. This deal is just that.

Khaman Maluach, standing 7-foot-1 and weighing 253 pounds, offers the ideal skill set for today’s NBA. He’s an elite rim protector with mobility, capable of defending pick-and-rolls and finishing lobs, the perfect interior anchor alongside Doncic’s playmaking. 

As a freshman at Duke, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in limited minutes, but his upside is what excites scouts. The Lakers believe he can develop into a long-term starter who fits their timeline with Luka.

With the No. 36 pick, the Lakers have a prime opportunity to target a reliable shooter, an area they’re actively looking to strengthen. While they're already expected to pursue a sharpshooter at No. 55, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them double down at 36 and secure a high-upside marksman earlier in the second round.

The Nets move down just three spots from No. 8 to No. 11 but pick up a valuable 2031 unprotected first-rounder from the Lakers, a bet that L.A. might not be as dominant six years from now. 

With three additional first-round picks already in hand for this draft (Nos. 19, 26, and 27), the Nets are stacking capital, giving them 12 first-rounders over the next seven years. That gives them flexibility for a future star trade or complete rebuild.

The Trail Blazers effectively swap the No. 8 pick for Dalton Knecht and a Knicks' protected 2027 first. It’s similar to the deal they made last year, trading No. 14 for Deni Avdija and a future pick. 

Knecht, who was the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, is a microwave scorer with deep range and a great work ethic, a strong piece to add to their rebuilding core alongside Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

This trade reflects the Lakers’ urgency. With Luka Doncic entering his prime and LeBron James nearing the end of his career, they can’t afford to wait for a long-term solution at center. Maluach offers the blend of upside and role-filling ability they need, and moving Knecht, while painful, is a sacrifice they’re willing to make.

It’s also a sign that Los Angeles isn’t relying solely on free agency, where their limited cap flexibility could restrict options. If this deal happens, the Lakers will walk away from draft night with one of the top defensive bigs in the class, another second-rounder, and perhaps a renewed shot at competing in a brutal Western Conference.