The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly showing interest in a few players from the Brooklyn Nets, especially those who could shore up their roster’s weaker spots.
According to Marc Stein, various teams are eyeing the likes of Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Bojan Bogdanovic. While nothing official has been discussed, the Lakers seem keen on exploring ways to add to their lineup’s versatility.
The Nets entered the season with a focus on player development, but are exceeding expectations with a current 5-7 record. Their mix of experienced players and emerging talent has them playing competitive basketball as the 6th seed, which could open the door for trade possibilities if they decide to lean fully into their rebuild goals.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, sitting at 7-4, are pushing to tighten up in the Western Conference. While they have some strong pieces, their bench and position depth remain areas to improve for a playoff push. This mock trade could address those gaps and give the Lakers a well-rounded lineup to help sustain their momentum into the postseason.
Mock Trade
Lakers receive: Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder, Day’Ron Sharpe
Nets receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis
In this mock trade, the Lakers would be getting a solid package to fill some major needs. Bogdanovic adds that sweet shooting they’ve been missing on the wing, Schroder steps in as a steadying presence at point guard, and Sharpe gives them a young, energetic big man for backup minutes, as a deal for Walker Kessler looks far away still. Meanwhile, the Nets bring in D’Angelo Russell to run the show with his playmaking, Hachimura’s versatile scoring and defensive length, and a couple of young talents in Hood-Schifino and Lewis who fit their longer-term plans. This trade idea works for both sides, with the Lakers going all-in on win-now pieces and the Nets snagging assets that suit their rebuild.
Why This Deal Works For The Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching for some much-needed help, and this mock trade with the Brooklyn Nets might just be what they’re looking for. Bringing in Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder, and Day’Ron Sharpe could fill in some big gaps that have been holding them back this season.
First up, shooting from deep has been a major headache for the Lakers. Bojan Bogdanovic could be the perfect fix. He’s hit about 39% of his threes throughout his career, making him a legit threat from beyond the arc. Now, he’s still out with a lingering ankle issue from a procedure back in April, but once he’s back, he’d add some valuable spacing. With Bogdanovic on the floor, LeBron and Davis would have more room to operate inside, and the offense could finally open up in a way they’ve been missing.
Then there’s the point guard problem. The Lakers have been dealing with inconsistent play from D’Angelo Russell, and it’s messed with their flow. That’s where Dennis Schroder comes in. Schroder’s been killing it with the Nets, putting up 19.3 points and 5.9 assists per game, proving he can run an offense without breaking a sweat. He’d take a lot of the ball-handling weight off LeBron, letting him focus more on scoring and making plays from the wing, which is exactly what the Lakers need.
Now, let’s talk big men. The Lakers have been in a bind whenever Davis is off the floor. They’re thin in the frontcourt, and 23-year-old Day’Ron Sharpe could be just what the doctor ordered. Sharpe’s young, energetic, and solid on defense and rebounding. He did tweak his hamstring during training camp and is still on the road to recovery, but once he’s back, he could give the Lakers some quality minutes off the bench, helping keep that interior defense strong.
Overall, bench production and defensive consistency have been big issues for the Lakers. Adding Bogdanovic and Schroder not only gives them more scoring options but also brings in some veteran presence to steady the second unit. Schroder’s a gritty defender, and Bogdanovic’s off-ball movement would give them a lot more versatility on offense, making the team look way more balanced and cohesive.
In terms of fit, these guys slot in pretty smoothly. Bogdanovic’s catch-and-shoot game works perfectly with LeBron’s drive-and-kick style, while Schroder’s quick drives and ability to dish play right into Davis’ pick-and-roll strengths. And with Sharpe’s rebounding and defense, the Lakers would be way better at controlling the paint, which has been a weak spot.
All in all, this trade checks a lot of boxes for the Lakers. They’d get a shooter, a solid point guard, and a young big man to round out their roster. This kind of move could be just what they need to balance things out and make a real run in the Western Conference.
The Nets Could Flip Some Players And Get More Draft Picks
The Brooklyn Nets have been surprising everyone with their scrappy, competitive play this season. They’re not exactly contenders, but they’re hanging tough in the Eastern Conference with a better-than-expected start. Coming into the year, the focus was more on development and building around some young pieces, so this mock trade with the Lakers could help them lean even more into that approach. If they take on veterans like D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, it’s not necessarily with the intent to keep them. Instead, it could be all about flipping them for future assets and making moves to support a long-term rebuild.
Let’s start with D’Angelo Russell. Right now, he’s struggling—his 12.5 points per game, 4.7 assists, and rough shooting splits (40.2% from the field, 19% from three) are far from ideal. For the Nets, he’s not exactly a foundational piece, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he’s really more valuable as a potential trade chip. If they find a team in need of some backcourt depth for a playoff push, Brooklyn might be able to turn him into a future pick or two, which would fit perfectly with their long-term strategy.
Rui Hachimura, on the other hand, is a bit more intriguing. He’s putting up solid numbers—12.7 points and 6.1 rebounds on 42.1% shooting—and has shown he can be a consistent scoring option and rebounder. Hachimura’s versatility would appeal to a lot of contending teams looking to add a reliable forward who can score and defend a bit. For the Nets, moving him could also bring in another draft pick, or even a young prospect, further boosting their asset collection without sacrificing their rebuilding focus.
Meanwhile, the Nets would also receive two young players from the Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis. These guys haven’t seen much action with Los Angeles, given the team’s need to focus on winning now and sticking with experienced players. In Brooklyn, though, they’d get a real shot to develop. The Nets have the flexibility to give young talent the minutes and opportunities they need to grow, which could be a win-win situation for both the players and the team.
This approach makes sense for where the Nets are right now. They’re not looking to make a big playoff push this season; instead, they’re building a foundation for the future. Adding young players who could develop into rotation pieces, while potentially snagging more draft picks by flipping veterans like Russell and Hachimura, fits perfectly with that plan. It’s a move that keeps them competitive now while setting them up for more flexibility and options down the road.
