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Lakers-Magic Trade Idea That Actually Makes Sense For Both Teams
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- Lakers-Magic Trade Idea That Actually Makes Sense For Both Teams
Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers ' unbeaten start to the 2026-27 season came to an end on Tuesday night, as the team suffered a 136-129 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers . With a 3-1 record, the Purple and Gold are still in a solid position. Still, there may be some issues that require more attention .
Obviously, losing games over the course of an 82-game season is inevitable. This inherently implies that losing isn't the end of the world. But when it comes to Tuesday's loss, one key takeaway could prevent the Purple and Gold from being in a similar position.
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L.A.'s big man rotation was outmatched by Portland. Aside from being beaten on the glass 38-31, the Blazers also outscored Los Angeles 56-48 in the paint. Even though Walker Kessler (13 PTS, 8 REB, 1 STL, 2 BLK) held his own against Donovan Clingan (9 PTS, 10 REB, 1 BLK), the lack of a reliable backup center was telling.
While Kevon Looney brings veteran experience to the table, the Lakers clearly need someone who can contribute on a regular basis to stabilize the rotation. Hence, to address this and upgrade L.A.'s rebounding strength, we explore a trade involving the Orlando Magic. Here is the potential trade package:
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Goga Bitadze
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Orlando Magic Receive: Jaden Hardy, 2031 second-round pick
Goga Bitadze has been linked with the Purple and Gold in the past , though there have been some obstacles preventing this trade from happening. Now, with the Magic facing roster issues of their own, the path to making this deal may be clearer than ever before.
Financial Outlook
Financially, this deal is feasible for both teams.
For Los Angeles, acquiring Goga Bitadze's $7.6 million contract isn't challenging. Given that the team is already $8.1 million below the first apron, the Purple and Gold could even absorb his salary without moving any assets. However, given the need to maintain flexibility to make additions later in the campaign, the Lakers would benefit from moving Jaden Hardy 's $6.0 million expiring contract.
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Orlando's situation is also quite manageable. As things stand, the Magic are roughly $2.5 million below the second apron. Since they would be sending out more money than they are receiving, Orlando could view the opportunity to shed $1.6 million in salary quite favorably.
Since this deal is financially feasible, we will proceed by examining how it would affect both the teams involved.
How Would This Trade Affect Both The Teams?
As mentioned earlier, the Orlando Magic are facing their own set of challenges early in the season. While Paolo Banchero 's absence is significant enough, Orlando was dealt another blow after Jalen Suggs was sidelined with a knee injury .
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While it is likely that Anthony Black will be promoted to the role of starting point guard, the Magic's backcourt depth is not very convincing. When also considering that the roster needs to compensate for Banchero's offensive production, the Magic are in a rough spot.
In this regard, acquiring a player like Jaden Hardy could be quite intriguing.
The 24-year-old has proven himself to be a reliable ball handler and scorer in isolation situations. While Hardy doesn't completely make up for Suggs' defensive presence or Banchero's offense, he could help stabilize the scoring off the bench.
Although his tenure with the Purple and Gold has started on a relatively unsatisfactory note, last season's averages of 9.2 points and 1.5 rebounds on 42.4% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three-point range capture his ability to contribute and shore up the second unit.
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For the Lakers, acquiring Goga Bitadze could help address one of their most pressing issues.
Despite having an elite big man like Walker Kessler in the frontcourt, the Lakers are a notoriously poor rebounding team. Ranking 29th in the NBA for rebounding percentage (45.2%), the Purple and Gold desperately need an upgrade.
Goga Bitadze presents some promise on this front. Last season, Bitadze appeared in 64 games for the Magic, averaging 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. While these don't seem like solid figures, the fact that he only played 15.2 minutes a night showcases his ability to be productive even in a limited capacity.
Aside from his rebounding, Bitadze also possesses the offensive skill set of a traditional big man. As an effective pick-and-roll center with the ability and awareness to finish on the inside, he would seamlessly fit into L.A.'s rotation as a backup center.
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Do The Lakers Need Goga Bitadze?
It is difficult to answer this question in a straightforward manner. In some ways, yes. The Lakers could benefit greatly from trading for Goga Bitadze, especially if the Magic make him available. Alternatively, the Purple and Gold just need a player like Bitadze.
When it comes to backup centers, the Lakers have the luxury to consider different archetypes. Whether this includes floor-spacing bigs, defensive specialists, or ultra-athletic lob threats, the Purple and Gold must prioritize one thing: rebounding.
It is increasingly apparent that as the season goes on, there will be days when the Lakers' offense fails. On days like these, having a player with keen rebounding instincts and a high motor to secure second-chance points and loose balls will make all the difference. Although Kessler can fulfill this role, L.A. needs another option to shore up their second unit.
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For the time being, Kevon Looney positions himself as a serviceable option. He may not have found his feet yet, but his experience cannot be overlooked. But for all intents and purposes, this is just a temporary solution. Acquiring a consistent rebounding big man remains a priority.
