Los Angeles Lakers Could Target OG Anunoby in Potential Blockbuster Offseason Scenario

The Los Angeles Lakers may once again be active in the trade market this offseason, and a new analysis suggests the franchise could pursue one of the NBA’s most coveted two-way wings: OG Anunoby. While the possibility remains complicated, the scenario highlights how aggressively the Lakers could look to upgrade their roster ahead of the next NBA season.

In a recent offseason preview published by Bleacher Report, NBA analyst Dan Favale identified Anunoby as one of the most intriguing potential trade targets for Los Angeles. According to Favale, the Lakers could enter the picture as a third team in a blockbuster deal involving the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks if circumstances around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo change.

Although such a deal remains speculative, the possibility reflects the Lakers’ continued search for an elite two-way wing who can defend multiple positions while contributing offensively from the perimeter.

Lakers Monitoring Knicks and Giannis Antetokounmpo Situation

Favale’s analysis centers on a potential domino effect that could begin if Antetokounmpo’s long-rumored interest in playing for the Knicks resurfaces.

The two-time NBA MVP has been loosely linked to New York in past discussions, and if the Knicks were to pursue a blockbuster deal for Antetokounmpo, roster changes would almost certainly follow. That could potentially make Anunoby available in a larger multi-team trade.

Favale explained that the Lakers should keep a close eye on the situation.

“OG Anunoby isn’t going anywhere unless the New York Knicks luck into Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Favale wrote. “Knowing the two-time MVP showed exclusive interest in the Big Apple last summer, the Lakers should hold out hope for the chance to swoop in as a third-party facilitator who sends draft equity the Milwaukee Bucks’ way.”

In this scenario, Los Angeles could act as a trade facilitator, helping balance salaries and assets while ultimately acquiring Anunoby.

Financial Flexibility Could Help Lakers Complete a Deal

One of the key factors that could make such a trade possible is the Lakers’ potential salary structure.

According to Favale, the team may have enough contracts available to match Anunoby’s salary without sacrificing all of its financial flexibility. Several players could theoretically be used as part of a larger deal, including:

• Jake LaRavia

• Deandre Ayton (player option)

• Marcus Smart (player option)

Favale noted that combining those contracts could allow Los Angeles to complete a salary-balanced trade while still maintaining future cap flexibility.

Anunoby is currently entering the third year of the five-year, $212.5 million contract he signed with the Knicks in 2024. He is scheduled to earn $42.5 million next season, meaning any team attempting to acquire him would need to assemble significant financial assets.

Lakers Continue Search for a True Two-Way Wing

The Lakers’ reported interest in Anunoby highlights one of the most noticeable weaknesses on their roster: a versatile perimeter defender who can guard elite scorers while providing reliable outside shooting.

Modern NBA teams often rely on wings capable of switching across multiple defensive assignments. For Los Angeles, finding that type of player has been a priority as they attempt to build a balanced roster around their offensive stars.

During the 2025 NBA Draft, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made a notable effort to address that need by targeting forward Adou Thiero.

Pelinka executed two aggressive draft-night trades to move nearly 20 spots up the board, jumping from pick No. 55 to No. 36 overall to secure Thiero.

After the draft, Pelinka explained the reasoning behind the move.

“We were super aggressive to begin the day knowing that we didn’t have a first-round pick,” Pelinka told Spectrum SportsNet. “Adou was projected by our scouts as a first-round talent, and we were able to turn 55, which is a late second-round pick, into a high second-round pick to select a player we had projected in the first round.”

The move underscored the Lakers’ desire to develop a long, athletic defender capable of impacting both ends of the floor.

Rob Pelinka Compared Thiero’s Role to OG Anunoby

Interestingly, Pelinka even referenced Anunoby when describing the type of player the Lakers hope Thiero could eventually become.

“Obviously, OG is an incredible player who’s done so much in the league,” Pelinka said. “I don’t want to put pressure on anyone to become someone else, but that archetype is definitely it.”

That comparison highlights how highly Anunoby is regarded across the NBA.

While the Lakers hope Thiero develops into that mold, Anunoby already represents one of the league’s most proven two-way wings.

Why OG Anunoby Remains One of the NBA’s Best 3-and-D Players

At 28 years old, Anunoby has firmly established himself as one of the NBA’s premier “3-and-D” players — a term used to describe athletes who excel at both perimeter defense and three-point shooting.

This season, the Knicks forward is averaging:

• 16.5 points per game

• 5.3 rebounds

• 2.2 assists

• 1.7 steals

He is also shooting 36.7% from three-point range, while maintaining a career average of 37.4% from deep.

Defensively, Anunoby consistently ranks among the league leaders in steals and is widely respected for his ability to guard multiple positions, from quick guards to physical forwards.

Those skills have made him one of the most valuable role players in today’s NBA.

Perfect Fit for Lakers’ Offensive Stars

Anunoby’s skill set would be particularly valuable for a Lakers team built around high-usage offensive creators like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Both players thrive with the ball in their hands, generating offense through playmaking and scoring. However, lineups built around offensive creators often require strong defensive wings to balance the roster.

A player like Anunoby could help the Lakers:

• Defend the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer

• Space the floor with consistent three-point shooting

• Add versatility to switching defensive schemes

His presence could significantly improve Los Angeles’ defensive flexibility.

Knicks Likely Reluctant to Move Anunoby

Despite the intriguing trade scenario, the reality is that the Knicks consider Anunoby a core piece of their defensive identity.

Since joining the team, he has become a cornerstone of New York’s defensive system and one of their most reliable perimeter stoppers.

As a result, the Knicks would likely only consider moving him in the event of a major roster overhaul, such as a blockbuster deal to acquire Antetokounmpo.

Without that type of seismic move, New York would almost certainly prefer to keep Anunoby as part of its long-term plans.

Lakers Could Still Explore Aggressive Offseason Moves

Even if a trade for Anunoby never materializes, Favale’s analysis highlights an important point: the Lakers could once again be aggressive in the trade market this summer.

The franchise has consistently looked for ways to improve its roster around its core stars, and the front office is unlikely to remain passive during the offseason.

If the right opportunity emerges — particularly in a complex multi-team deal — the Lakers could once again find themselves pursuing the exact type of player Pelinka described on draft night.

An elite, versatile two-way wing.

And few players in the NBA fit that description better than OG Anunoby.