LA Lakers trade predictions: 3 realistic deals that move the needle 

The LA Lakers are arguably the most active team in the trade market. Their window to push for another championship in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era is shortening at lightning speed. LeBron turns 40 on Dec. 30. On the other hand, Davis is in his prime and playing the best basketball of his career.

Owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka must go all-in to get their superstars all the help they need. As presently constructed, the Lakers don't seem to have enough, especially with multiple key players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood injured.

There's growing uncertainty around their possibility of returning in time to help keep LA's season afloat and match up well against other contenders. Amid a 15-12 start, the Lakers have seen all kinds of upsides and downsides with their imbalanced roster.

While their 118.1-rated offense (fourth in the NBA) until Nov. 19 fueled their 10-4 start, their 117.1-rated defense was in dire straits (ranked 24th). The Lakers then endured a slump, dropping to 12-11 on the season.

A 3-1 run capped off by Thursday's 113-100 win over the Kings has kept LA from falling apart. However, unlike the initial few games of the year, the defense has been phenomenal with a 98.5 rating, ranked first, and the offense has dropped to a league-worse 102.7 rating.

The LA Lakers' potential and upside on both ends are there, but that's only possible if they can get some reinforcements. Here are three realistic moves Rob Pelinka and the front office must pursue in their bid to hang a record-matching 18th championship banner.

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LA Lakers trade predictions: Who are the 3 realistic acquisitions for Rob Pelinka and Co.?

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka

#3. Jonas Valanciunas

The LA Lakers-Jonas Valanciunas links date back to the offseason when the Washington Wizards center was a free agent. He was among the reported candidates for whom LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut on his extension.

However, LA couldn't add Valanciunas after several players from last year with a player option opted into their deals. The Lakers' silver lining out of this situation was that they could pursue Valanciunas in the trade market after he became trade-eligible after Dec. 15.

The Lakers need a reliable big man to play next to Davis or hold fort, as his deputy. Valanciunas can do both. The Lakers don't have an interior presence outside Davis to counter traditionally sized centers. On offense, Valanciunas is a decent floor spacer, so it won't stop Redick from implementing two big lineups, either.

While the LA Lakers will face competition for his signature, they can entice the Wizards with multiple packages. One of the most realistic ones is offering them Jarred Vanderbilt's $10.7 million contract and a couple of second-rounders to sweeten the deal. Vanderbilt has played 29 games since last season and has yet to debut this year.

There are growing concerns about his availability this season. Using his contract saves LA $814,286 as Valanciunas is on a $9.9 million deal.

What's in it for the Wizards? Well, they could use a defensive threat like Vanderbilt. They aren't in a rush to contend immediately, so his current injury woes shouldn't concern them in the foreseeable future. They can also flip his deal in another potential trade down the line.

#2. Dorian Finney-Smith

Dorian Finney-Smith is another name frequently linked to the LA Lakers. The bad news for LA is that he's also linked to other contenders. The difference here is there's no guarantee that the others are willing to include a lightly protected first-round pick in a potential deal for him.

However, the Lakers are desperate, probably more than any other contender, for defensive perimeter help. Finney-Smith appears to be their prime candidate if they deal with Vanderbilt in a trade to acquire Valanciunas, as mentioned above.

Finney-Smith is also an upgrade over Vanderbilt because of his 3-point shooting ability. He's knocking down 3s at a 45.2% clip on 5.5 attempts. The former Maverick is making $14.9 million this season. Th LA Lakers have D'Angelo Russell's $18.6 million contract. LA can also take on one of Brooklyn's veteran minimum players to match salary if the Nets intend to keep their payroll limited.

The Nets add another guard after losing Dennis Schroder to the Warriors. Russell's deal is also expiring, making it easier to deal him in a trade. The Lakers must include the 2027 first-round pick with protections to avoid missing out on Finney-Smith.

#1. Collin Sexton

An athletic point guard is what the Lakers have sorely missed over the past couple of seasons. The D'Angelo Russell-Austin Reaves guard combo is one-dimensional, as both can be creative offensively but do not have the tools to be good to elite defenders. Playing them together has been the root cause of LA's perimeter defense, especially amid Jarred Vanderbilt's injury hiatus.

The Lakers were linked to Dejounte Murray at the last trade deadline, but he eventually went to the Pelicans in the offseason. He's also on an expensive deal, making it difficult to acquire him.

Collin Sexton is an enticing alternate for the LA Lakers. The Utah Jazz point guard has been linked to LA. The 6-foot-3 guard can play bigger than his size. He's a significantly better defensive presence than D'Angelo Russell and can complement Austin Reaves in the backcourt.

Sexton can also run the second unit as a sixth man if the LA Lakers intend to stick with Austin Reaves at the point and replace Rui Hachimura with Dorian Finney-Smith in the starting lineup.

The 2029 first-round pick with light protections, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Christian Wood's combined $17.8 million contracts should get the job done.

Vincent would be another tradeable asset at the Jazz's disposal and a veteran presence for the foreseeable future. Hood-Schifino is a prospect, who is on an expiring deal and Wood is also in the final year of his contract.

However, this deal can only happen if the Lakers acquire Jonas Valanciunas first in a straight swap for Jarred Vanderbilt and save $800,000 in cap space (read above).

The Utah Jazz owe Sexton $18.3 million this season, and the LA Lakers can't take back more salary in a potential contract as they are $10.7 million over the first apron.