The Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster acquisition of Luka Dončić at the 2025 trade deadline was supposed to cement their status as championship favorites. However, their playoff run fell flat, with just one postseason win, exposing glaring defensive weaknesses, particularly on the perimeter. With LeBron James aging and Dončić struggling to mask his defensive limitations, General Manager Rob Pelinka is reportedly eyeing a bold offseason move to reshape the roster. According to recent NBA trade rumors, the Lakers are targeting Portland Trail Blazers’ 6’8” star Jerami Grant and defensive standout Matisse Thybulle in a deal that would send fan-favorite Austin Reaves and several role players to Portland. This trade could create a formidable Big 3 with Dončić, James, and Grant, but the cost—both financially and emotionally—might stun Lakers fans.
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Why the Lakers Need This Trade
The Lakers’ 2024-25 season revealed a roster imbalance. While Dončić’s offensive brilliance (averaging 33.9 PPG and 9.2 APG league-wide) paired well with LeBron’s playmaking, their defensive shortcomings were glaring. Rui Hachimura was the team’s only reliable athletic wing, leaving Dončić and James exposed against quicker perimeter players. As Dean Simon of Sporting News noted, “Los Angeles could have used another athletic wing outside of Rui Hachimura to assist the slow-footed Dončić with his defensive assignments on the perimeter.” Jerami Grant’s two-way versatility and Thybulle’s elite defense could address these gaps, creating a more balanced squad capable of contending with the NBA’s top teams.
The Trade Proposal
To land Grant and Thybulle, the Lakers would need to part with a significant package to match salaries and entice Portland, who finished the 2024-25 season with a 36-46 record. The proposed deal includes:
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Lakers send: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Shake Milton
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Lakers receive: Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle
This trade works financially, offsetting Grant’s $36.4 million player option (if exercised for 2025-26) and Thybulle’s affordable contract, which is set to expire soon. However, losing Reaves—a homegrown talent with a team-friendly deal—would be a tough pill for fans to swallow.
Key Players Involved
|
Player |
Role |
2024-25 Stats |
Contract Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Austin Reaves |
Scoring guard |
16.2 PPG, 4.5 APG, 38% 3PT |
Team-friendly, multi-year deal |
|
Jerami Grant |
Two-way forward |
14.4 PPG, 37.3% FG, 36.4% 3PT
|
5 years, $160M (through 2028) |
|
Matisse Thybulle |
Elite perimeter defender |
7.5 PPG, 2.2 SPG, 43.8% 3PT (15 games) |
Affordable, expiring soon |
Jerami Grant: The Missing Piece for a Big 3
At 6’8” with a 7’2” wingspan, Jerami Grant brings the size, athleticism, and versatility the Lakers desperately need. Despite a down year in Portland, where he played only 47 games due to injuries, Grant’s career numbers paint a promising picture. His 36.4% career three-point shooting stretches the floor for Dončić and James, while his ability to switch across multiple positions bolsters L.A.’s defense against bigger wings like Jayson Tatum or Kevin Durant. Grant’s experience in high-pressure playoff games, including a 2020 Western Conference Finals run with Denver, makes him a natural fit for the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
In Los Angeles, Grant would thrive in a complementary role, focusing on spot-up shooting, transition scoring, and defensive versatility. His addition would allow Dončić to conserve energy on defense and enable LeBron to play more off-ball, preserving the 40-year-old’s legs for the postseason.
Matisse Thybulle: The Defensive X-Factor
Matisse Thybulle’s inclusion in the deal could be a game-changer for the Lakers’ perimeter defense. Despite an ankle injury limiting him to 15 games in 2024-25, Thybulle showcased his elite defensive prowess with a 5.1 defensive box plus-minus and 2.2 steals per game. His 43.8% three-point shooting, a career-high, adds an unexpected offensive dimension, making him a perfect 3-and-D complement to Dončić and James.
Thybulle’s ability to lock down opposing guards and wings—think Devin Booker or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—would alleviate pressure on L.A.’s stars. His quick hands and anticipation could spark fast-break opportunities, feeding Dončić’s lethal transition passing.
The Shocking Price: Losing Austin Reaves
For Lakers fans, the emotional cost of trading Austin Reaves could overshadow the on-court benefits. The undrafted guard, affectionately dubbed “Hillbilly Kobe,” has become a fan favorite for his clutch scoring (16.2 PPG), playmaking (4.5 APG), and chemistry with LeBron. His team-friendly contract and playoff poise make him a valuable asset at just 26 years old. Trading him for Grant’s massive $160 million deal and Thybulle’s injury concerns feels like a gamble.
Additionally, the inclusion of Vincent, Kleber, and Milton depletes L.A.’s depth, forcing Pelinka to rely on minimum contracts or buyout market additions to fill out the roster. The financial burden of Grant’s contract, which runs through 2028, could also hamstring the Lakers if his performance declines or injuries persist.
Risks and Rewards
The trade is not without risks:
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Grant’s Contract: At $160 million over five years, Grant’s deal could become a liability if his play dips or injuries recur.
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Thybulle’s Health: Thybulle has missed significant time in three of his six NBA seasons, raising concerns about his durability.
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Reaves’ Upside: Trading a young, affordable star with Reaves’ potential could haunt the Lakers if he blossoms elsewhere.
However, the rewards are tantalizing. Grant’s two-way play and Thybulle’s defensive tenacity could transform the Lakers into a true contender, giving Dončić and James the support they need to chase a title. The trio of Dončić, James, and Grant, backed by Thybulle and Hachimura, would boast unmatched offensive firepower and improved defensive versatility.
Is This the Move to Watch?
With the NBA offseason trade market heating up, this proposed deal could be a defining moment for the Lakers. Pelinka must weigh the emotional and financial cost of parting with Reaves against the potential of forming a super Big 3 with Dončić, James, and Grant. Thybulle’s defensive upside adds intrigue, but his injury history and Grant’s hefty contract introduce uncertainty. For a franchise under pressure to maximize LeBron’s twilight years and Dončić’s prime, this blockbuster trade could be the bold swing that propels L.A. back to championship glory—or a costly misstep that leaves fans reeling.