The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, are sending shockwaves through the basketball world with reports that they could acquire Boston Celtics superstar Kristaps Porziņģis, who is tied to a $135 million contract. This move aims to create a formidable Big 3 alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic, promising to elevate the Lakers’ championship aspirations for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Context of the Blockbuster Trade
According to sources from The Times of India, the Lakers have shown strong form this season, highlighted by a commanding 126-99 victory over the OKC Thunder on April 6, 2025. However, deficiencies at the center position and a lack of roster depth remain significant concerns. The absence of a versatile big man could hinder the Lakers’ playoff competitiveness, particularly against teams with strong frontcourts like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets.
Kristaps Porziņģis, the 7-foot-2 center from the Boston Celtics, is seen as the perfect solution to address these issues. With his versatile scoring, elite rim protection, and playoff experience, Porziņģis could significantly boost the Lakers’ roster, especially when paired with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Why Porziņģis is the Ideal Target
Despite a history of injuries, Porziņģis remains one of the NBA’s premier big men when healthy. Here are the key reasons why he is a perfect fit for the Lakers:
Versatile Scoring: Porziņģis is an exceptional 3-point shooter, stretching the floor to create space for LeBron and Doncic. He is one of the rare big men capable of pulling opposing defenses away from the paint.
Rim Protection: Averaging 1.6 blocks per game this season, Porziņģis provides the defensive anchor the Lakers desperately need under the basket.
Pick-and-Roll Versatility: Porziņģis can seamlessly operate as both a roll man and a pop shooter in pick-and-roll situations, complementing the playstyles of Doncic and LeBron.
Additionally, with a $30 million salary for the upcoming season, Porziņģis is a financially viable option if the Lakers can structure a multi-team trade to balance the books.
Potential Trade Details and Challenges
According to The Times of India, acquiring Porziņģis would likely require a complex trade involving a third team to match salaries. A possible trade framework could include:
Lakers Receive: Kristaps Porziņģis
Celtics Receive: Future draft picks and short-term contracts from a third team
Third Team: Absorbs expiring contracts from the Lakers to facilitate the deal
However, this trade is far from straightforward. Porziņģis is a key component of the Celtics’ roster, which won the NBA championship in the 2023-24 season. Boston’s willingness to part with him may stem from concerns about his injury history, including a calf injury and a torn ankle ligament that limited him to just seven playoff games last season. Nevertheless, when healthy, Porziņģis has proven his ability to make a significant impact on both ends of the court.
The biggest challenges for the Lakers include competition from other teams and convincing the Celtics to let go of a star player. Additionally, the Lakers may need to part with valuable assets, such as draft picks or young talents like Dalton Knecht, to sweeten the deal.
Impact of a LeBron-Doncic-Porziņģis Big 3
If the trade is successful, the trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Kristaps Porziņģis would form a fearsome lineup. At 40 years old, LeBron continues to perform at an elite level, averaging 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in the 2025 playoffs. Meanwhile, Doncic, the 25-year-old superstar, is among the NBA’s top scorers and playmakers. Adding Porziņģis would create a perfectly balanced roster:
Offense: With Doncic orchestrating the pace, LeBron creating opportunities, and Porziņģis stretching the defense, the Lakers would boast a nearly unstoppable offensive unit.
Defense: Porziņģis would compensate for Doncic’s defensive limitations, while LeBron remains a versatile defender.
The combination of these three stars would position the Lakers as a leading contender for the NBA championship, capable of dominating both regular-season games and high-stakes playoff matchups.