Report: Lakers currently working on ‘consolidation’ trade

The Los Angeles Lakers have already had an active offseason. First off, they traded for the draft rights for former University of Arkansas guard Adou Thiero, who heard his name get called early on in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Additionally, Los Angeles has made several signings via free agency. It re-signed center Jaxson Hayes, who started a good chunk of games for the Lakers a season ago, and made two new additions with forward Jake LaRavia and big man Deandre Ayton.

Despite all of that activity from the Lakers, according to Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin, the storied franchise isn’t done making moves. Irwin reported early Monday morning that the Lakers are working on a “consolidation” trade that would free up both a roster spot and their full bi-annual exception.

Maybe the Lakers will clear a roster spot to sign a power forward who’s on the open market.

Power forward might now one of the team’s weakest position in terms of depth, as Jarred Vanderbilt would potentially be the team’s backup at the position if the season started on Monday. Vanderbilt is a highly disruptive defensive player but not necessarily someone who can be relied on to play consistently, as he hasn’t suited up in more than 36 games in the regular season in any one of his seasons as a Laker.

It is worth noting, though, that much of the free-agent market has dried up at this point and plenty of the best players at the position in this free-agent class have already agreed to new deals. Namely, Bobby Portis Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith — the latter of whom played for the Lakers last season — are off the market.

However, there’s a talented veteran power forward who could become available as a free agent in the near future. Kevin Love is heading to the Utah Jazz in a recent trade and according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Love is a buyout candidate. Even at his advanced age, Love could make an impact with the Lakers as a 3-point shooter and rebounder. He pulled down 13.5 rebounds per 36 minutes with the Heat last season and also shot 35.7 percent from deep.