Lakers predicted to pursue trade for $134 million, 2-time NBA champion

Jeremy Kruger

Lakers predicted to pursue trade for $134 million, 2-time NBA champion image

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while watching a tribute video before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are all-in on the Luka Doncic era. Without having to cater to the needs of LeBron James any longer, they are moving forward with the plan to find the ideal teammates to pair with Luka for another Laker championship. One two-time NBA champion was named as a possible target in the latest round of Lakers trade rumors. 

According to Grant Afseth of fastbreakjournal.com, the Lakers could pursue Jrue Holiday in a trade sooner rather than later. 

“Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s not to say active conversations are taking place, but his name continues to surface in NBA circles as the team evaluates options to add more talent around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal.”

While this Lakers-Jrue Holiday trade rumor might not loudest piece of Lakers news, it could be hugely impactful. 

Holiday has already proven that when playing a key role on star-led teams, he can help elevate a team to an NBA championship level. 

Holiday’s contract makes the Lakers' trading for him difficult. They’ve let it be known they aren’t taking on future money in an effort to remain fully flexible for Luka’s future. Holiday is still owed over $100 million on his contract. 

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Still, getting Holiday could be a game changer for the Lakers. Luka once called Jrue the best defender to ever guard him. Now just imagine if they were able to pair Luka’s offensive talent with Holiday’s defensive excellence. 

More NBA: Lakers predicted to trade LeBron, Bronny for former NBA All-Star, picks

Jeremy Kruger

Jeremy is a freelance NBA writer with The Sporting News. His basketball career may have ended in high school, but his passion for the game never stopped. As a digital nomad, Jeremy travels the world writing about basketball and searching whatever continent he is on for the best pick-up games.