The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a hot start this season, boasting a 3-0 record and sparking speculation that their early success could prompt a roster upgrade to solidify their championship pursuit. Rumors have already emerged about potential moves, including a blockbuster trade involving Indiana Pacers’ rising star Bennedict Mathurin.
In a recent proposal, Colin Keane of The Sporting News suggested that the Lakers could look to trade Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Pacers in exchange for Mathurin. Keane even suggested that the Lakers could add draft picks to sweeten the deal, an enticing package that could convince Indiana to part with one of its young talents.
“While the Pacers are pleased with Mathurin’s return to health, they proved last year they could succeed without him,” Keane explained. “The Lakers, meanwhile, are eager to add another wing scorer to bolster their roster. Indiana could see value in receiving frontcourt depth from Hayes, Wood, and Vanderbilt, while draft capital from Los Angeles could make it an even more attractive offer.”
Mathurin, a 6-foot-6 guard, could provide the Lakers with the instant offense and depth they’ve been seeking. He showed his potential by averaging 16.7 points per game as a rookie, followed by a solid sophomore campaign with 14.5 points and a 37.4% success rate from beyond the arc. Despite the appeal, it remains uncertain if the Pacers would be willing to part with Mathurin given his promising trajectory.
However, adding a guard like Mathurin might mean the Lakers would need to address gaps left in their frontcourt. Reports indicate they’ve been interested in acquiring a backup center, like Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler, who could relieve Anthony Davis and offer defensive presence off the bench.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha highlighted the team’s interest in Kessler, saying, “Kessler would be a great fit, whether in a two-big lineup with AD or coming off the bench for solid defensive minutes.”
Beyond frontcourt changes, Buha also hinted that the Lakers may be willing to explore trade options involving D’Angelo Russell. “The plan has always been to keep an eye on D-Lo’s trade potential,” Buha explained. “If the Lakers pull the trigger on a significant deal, Russell is the player who could be on the move.”
Russell’s role and performance could impact the Lakers’ decisions, especially if they acquire Mathurin to fill the two-guard slot. Mathurin wouldn’t be a point guard replacement, but his scoring and versatility could alleviate some backcourt pressure while enhancing guard depth.
As the Lakers continue to weigh their options, any move would need to be well-timed and strategic. Their front office is undoubtedly aware that the pieces added now could play a pivotal role in a deep playoff run. With the trade buzz surrounding Mathurin, Kessler, and potentially Russell, the Lakers’ roster could look significantly different in the coming weeks as they push to maximize their championship window.
