The Los Angeles Lakers already made one significant move earlier this offseason, but could another blockbuster deal be on the horizon?
Los Angeles has gotten younger and appears to have improved its depth on paper. However, the roster still lacks a dependable player who can handle around 33 minutes per game at power forward while contributing points, rebounds and the smaller plays that often determine winning.
That is where Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon could come into play. While a deal may be difficult to complete, Gordon could be a realistic trade candidate as Denver continues dealing with the restrictions of the second apron.
In this hypothetical four-team blockbuster, the Lakers would acquire the veteran forward from Denver while the other three teams would also make changes to their respective rosters. The proposed framework is as follows:
Lakers receive: Aaron Gordon, a 2030 second-round pick (from LAC, via TOR) and a 2033 second-round pick (from MIL, via MIA)
Nuggets receive: Myles Turner, a 2031 second-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick (from LAL, via WAS)
Bucks receive: Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia
Clippers receive: Jaden Hardy and Bronny James
Why the Lakers Would Make This Trade
If Gordon can return to the form he showed three or four years ago next season, the Lakers would potentially be adding a star-caliber player who could make a major difference.
The 30-year-old is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. Those numbers are impressive, but availability remains a concern. Gordon appeared in only 36 regular-season games last season after dealing with injuries during the 2025 playoffs and then suffering another setback during the 2026 postseason.
When healthy, Gordon’s importance to Denver has been difficult to overstate. His versatility and chemistry alongside Nikola Jokic have made him one of the Nuggets’ most valuable players outside of their three-time MVP.
That was especially evident during the 2023 Western Conference Finals against Los Angeles. Gordon averaged 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 54.1% from the field. He also played a key defensive role during the series, including the final possession of Game 4 when he prevented LeBron James from getting a shot off at the buzzer as Denver completed the sweep.
Gordon is scheduled to earn approximately $32 million next season and has three years remaining on his contract. The Lakers would take on roughly $5.3 million more in salary, although the overall financial impact would remain relatively similar because of the other contracts involved in the proposed deal.
Would Denver Pull the Trigger?
There may be a case for Denver to seriously consider it.
The Nuggets recently saw Peyton Watson depart for Cleveland in a five-team sign-and-trade that sent Denver a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2032 second-round selection.
Watson, 23, averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last season before joining Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million contract.
In this proposal, Denver would move Gordon’s approximately $32 million salary while acquiring Turner at roughly $26.6 million. That would reduce the Nuggets’ payroll by around $5.4 million, which could be particularly valuable as they deal with second-apron restrictions.
Turner, 30, averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 71 games for Milwaukee last season while connecting on 38.3% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He also played a major role in Indiana’s run to the 2025 NBA Finals, averaging nearly 14 points and two blocks per game during the postseason.
At his best, Turner could provide Denver with a strong replacement for Gordon. His ability to stretch the floor would give Jokic another reliable shooting option, while Turner can also create offense for himself and finish around the rim.
Defensively, Turner has long been one of the NBA’s premier shot blockers. Before last season, he ranked among the league’s top 10 in both total blocks and blocks per game for nine consecutive seasons.
For the Lakers, acquiring Gordon would represent a significant high-risk, high-reward gamble. If he can remain healthy and available, Los Angeles could potentially elevate itself into the NBA’s top tier of contenders. However, another injury-plagued season could leave the Lakers with a major roster hole and fewer assets available to address it.
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