With the Los Angeles Lakers entering the offseason following a first-round exit, attention has shifted to the limited trade assets at their disposal.
According to Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Woike, the franchise’s most valuable pieces on the market are Austin Reaves, rookie Dalton Knecht, and their distant 2031 first-round pick.
Reaves, who averaged career-best 20.2 points and 5.8 assists in 73 starts this season, is widely seen around the league as the Lakers’ top asset under contract.
The 26-year-old guard is under team control through 2026 with a player option for 2026–27, making him both productive and cost-effective.
However, rival executives reportedly view Knecht and the 2031 first-rounder as the Lakers’ most attainable trade assets, as L.A. remains reluctant to move Reaves unless absolutely necessary.
Knecht, 24, completed his rookie season averaging 9.1 points on 46.1% shooting in just over 19 minutes per game.
His efficient production in limited minutes and affordable rookie-scale deal give him value in a league where wing shooting remains in high demand.
The Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick, while six years away, carries strategic value due to its timing well beyond LeBron James’ career window and potentially beyond Luka Doncic’s current deal.
That future pick could appeal to rebuilding teams willing to wait for long-term upside in exchange for current pieces.
Several executives believe any attempt by Los Angeles to acquire a center this offseason will require packaging Knecht, the pick, and expiring deals.
Free agency is unlikely to offer many viable options at center, with Myles Turner expected to command more than the Lakers can offer following Indiana’s deep playoff run.
Veteran alternatives such as Brook Lopez, who turns 37 and already had a short stint in Los Angeles, or Clint Capela, whose long-term starter status is uncertain, present limited upside.
The Lakers face a narrow path to upgrade their frontcourt with limited cap space and few available big men on the market.
Their trade leverage, therefore, hinges on Knecht’s perceived upside and the speculative appeal of a pick that could land high in a post-James era.
Coming off a 50–32 campaign that ended in a disappointing five-game series loss to Minnesota, the Lakers are under pressure to retool.
With Doncic now in the fold and LeBron James turning 41 next season, the window for contention remains open—but closing fast.
