While the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are unlikely trade partners this summer, some believe a deal could materialize between the two well-respected organizations.
FS1’s Nick Wright is one of those people, as the popular sports analyst recently suggested that the Lakers could acquire Mikal Bridges in a LeBron James-centered trade.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale was the latest journalist to pitch a Lakers-Knicks offseason deal, citing that they could acquire a 28-year-old Knicks playoff star and NBA champion in a ‘lopsided’ three-team trade that wouldn’t require them to ship James to New York.
“OG Anunoby isn’t going anywhere unless the New York Knicks luck into Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Favale wrote Tuesday. “Knowing the two-time MVP showed exclusive interestin 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.”
“If they play their cards right, they have enough ancillary money—Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton (player option), Marcus Smart (player option)—to complete a lopsided deal without nuking all of their cap space.”
It makes sense why Favale is under the impression Anunoby will stay put in New York unless the franchise outduels the rest of their competition for Antetokounmpo this summer.
The Indiana product is a prototypical three-and-D wing who plays his role to perfection and never lacks energy/attention to detail on either end of the floor. Anunoby’s consistency is one of many reasons why the Knicks are three games away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Anunoby is currently averaging 20.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game with the Knicks in the postseason, shooting 58.5% from the field and 48.9% from three.
Considering the Knicks are a franchise that continues to get linked to Antetokounmpo, and New York would likely be willing to part with Anunoby in favor of the 10-time All-Star (and the 10-time All-Star only), Favale’s trade idea could become doable in the next few months.
If so, the Lakers’ three-point shooting and perimeter defense would take a massive step forward in 2026-27, giving them reason to be optimistic that a championship could be in their immediate future.
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