One proposed scenario involves a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers. In this framework, the Lakers would acquire a high-upside young center with a similar profile to Kessler, while also adding flexibility and potential strength in the frontcourt.
Trade proposal details:
– Lakers receive: Kel’el Ware and Vit Krejci
– Bucks receive: a 2031 second-round pick (via Portland) and additional second-round picks in 2031 and 2032 (via Washington)
– Blazers receive: Dalton Knecht
Ware would be a quick asset flip for the Bucks, having joined the team recently as part of a blockbuster that reshaped Milwaukee’s roster. While Ware has yet to suit up for the Bucks, his combination of youth and upside makes him an attractive target for a team looking to build for the future.
Cap considerations in this scenario indicate that the Lakers would not face a drastic financial burden. Ware projects to earn roughly $4.6 million in the 2026-27 season, the penultimate year of his rookie deal, with a team option for the final year rising to about $7.1 million. This would keep the Lakers’ frontcourt payroll manageable while acquiring a potential long-term contributor at a relatively economical price.
To accommodate Ware, Knecht would be moved to Portland. Knecht’s contract is in the same general range as Ware’s, around $4.2 million, and he has often been viewed as a trade asset. In this arrangement, he would be exchanged to the Blazers along with Krejci, who carries a lower $2.6 million salary in Portland but would increase the Lakers’ incoming payroll.
Krejci’s addition would bring height and wing versatility to the Lakers at a modest cost, helping to round out the rotation without pushing the team far into the luxury tax or out of a sustainable tax range.
Strong Potential with a New 7-Footer
Kessler’s availability throughout the season is not guaranteed, given the typical workload considerations and health risks associated with big men. As such, the Lakers should temper expectations for a full 72-game contribution from him or for heavy minutes comparable to stars in other positions.
Looney provides solid backup frontcourt depth, but Ware offers a younger, high-upside option who excels on the boards and can contribute offensively in spurts. In the 2025-26 season, Ware was near a double-double average, underscoring his potential to impact both ends of the floor. At 22 years old, Ware has room to grow and could develop into a versatile frontcourt piece alongside a player of Doncic’s caliber, offering a style that leans more toward athleticism and potential scoring versatility.
Ware’s game also includes shooting range that could translate into stretch-big capabilities, which would complement the Lakers’ existing core. Krejci, at 6-foot-8, adds additional height and wing depth at a reasonable cost, contributing to a more balanced and flexible roster.
In summary, the Lakers are exploring a move that would pair a young, high-upside center with ongoing veteran support, while reshaping the frontcourt to maintain competitiveness and depth into a demanding season. The proposed trade underscores a strategy focused on upside, cost management, and roster balance as the team aims to maximize its championship window.
