Trade Idea Reunites Luka Doncic With Two Former Teammates on Lakers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster trade in February, acquiring five-time All-Star Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
Behind Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers finished the season as the third seed in the West and were projected to compete for the championship.
However, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Doncic, James and the Lakers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Los Angeles’ lack of size prevented the team from competing with Minnesota big men Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
The Lakers are expected to attempt to trade for a center this offseason and Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that Rob Pelinka trade Austin Reaves and Shake Milton to the Mavericks for Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington.
“The Lakers would need to decide whether Lively II qualifies as the impact big they’re after, but save for some injury issues, his first two seasons have been true head-turners,” Buckley wrote.
“And since he spent a season-plus with Doncic in Dallas, Lively II might hit the ground running in L.A. Washington, meanwhile, has the same connection with Doncic and could bring both defensive versatility and shot-making to the perimeter group.”
Doncic played in 68 games with Lively II and 42 games with Washington in Dallas. The three players helped the Mavericks make the NBA Finals last year.
Lively II averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season while shooting 70.2% from the field. He and Doncic had terrific chemistry on lob-plays in Dallas.
Meanwhile, Washington averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season while shooting 38.1% from 3.
The Lakers could potentially start Doncic, Washington, Rui Hachimura, James and Lively II next season if this trade idea happened.
