The Los Angeles Lakers have been relatively dormant throughout the 2024-25 offseason. Outside of re-signing LeBron James and Max Christie (along with drafting Bronny James and Dalton Knecht), the franchise hasn't made any significant changes from last year's 47-win team that lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

The roster is full with 15 regular contracts, and payroll is within about $45,000 of the second apron ($188.9 million). The Lakers have been clear that they don't intend to go over the second apron—and the only real way they can go over is by signing additional players to minimum contracts.

If this isn't a roster the team can win with, then the path to improvement will be through trade(s).

The Lakers will likely be linked to the following names throughout the season until the February 6 trade deadline. Not everyone listed is a good idea, but that won't stop the rumor mill.

Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

Current salary: $43 million
Remaining contract: $137 million/three years (player option on the final season)
Trade Kicker: 15 percent (additional $6.2 million for 2024-25 and 2025-26)

The Bulls transitioned away from their underperforming core this summer, sending Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder and DeMar DeRozan (via sign-and-trade) to the Sacramento Kings. Multiple sources say the team would love to move LaVine's big contract.

LaVine, 29, is a two-time All-Star who played at UCLA, but knee and foot injuries have diminished his availability. He's a talented scorer and a 38.2 percent three-point shooter (career) but a marginal defender with only four postseason games played over 10 years.

His larger salary, before considering the trade kicker, illustrates how difficult moves will be this year for the Lakers. The franchise needs to send out more salary than it takes back while allowing room to fill the roster to the required minimum of 14 players.

For instance, D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Christian Wood are enough to get LaVine (assuming he is willing to waive his trade kicker; arguably a must in any deal to the Lakers)—but that would be extremely difficult to execute before the season as L.A. would have a hard time staying under a second-apron hard cap getting back to 14 standard contracts.

A more feasible offseason deal (with the financial constraints) would need to center around Rui Hachimura and Russell, but would the Lakers retain enough depth to win, especially with LaVine's injury history?

Pros: The Lakers shouldn't need to send draft compensation to Chicago for LaVine. If healthy, LaVine is exceptionally talented.

Cons: Many around the league question if LaVine will fully regain his form. Financial constraints this season and next make fleshing out the rest of the roster difficult.

Alternative: The Lakers could have an interest in Nikola Vučević.

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Current salary: $43 million
Remaining contract: $137 million/three years (player option)
Trade Kicker: 15 percent (additional $6.2 million for 2024-25 and 2025-26)

Given Young's almost identical contract to LaVine, the Lakers would face the same financial issues. L.A. and Atlanta negotiated last season with talks surrounding Dejounte Murray (though Young is believed to have been discussed).

The primary difference is that Atlanta would want to be heartily compensated for Young, whereas Chicago may be more open to simply getting LaVine off their books. Heading into the season, there's no significant intel that Young is available, but that could change as the season progresses.

Young would also need to be willing to waive his trade kicker (which he's not obligated to do) to try and make a deal feasible for the Lakers. Atlanta would presumably ask for draft compensation and Austin Reaves, a price L.A. probably wouldn't consider at this early stage.

Pros: Young is turning 26 this month and could be a cornerstone point guard for L.A. for many years.

Cons: The finances are problematic. Young is also small (6'1", 164 lbs), a poor defender and isn't especially effective off the ball.

Alternative: Clint Capela

Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

Current salary: $29.8 million
Remaining contract: $132.4 million/four years (player option)

Grant is notably less expensive than LaVine and Young. At 30, his contract is a bit long, but he fills a need as a complementary wing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Before Grant went to the Detroit Pistons in 2020 to be a 20-point-per-game scorer, he was known as a defensive-minded role player who could also score.

The Blazers are rebuilding and are believed to be willing to move Grant, though they're not in a rush. Portland can afford to wait for the Lakers to grow desperate and then seek significant draft compensation from L.A.

The Lakers can trade their 2029 and 2031 first-rounders, but they need to decide how much of their future they're willing to part with—and how much a player like Grant moves the needle immediately.

L.A. would likely need to include one of Russell or Hachimura, plus others, to get to Grant's salary. For instance, a combination of Russell, Vanderbilt and Hood-Schifino works mathematically for the Lakers (some of the concepts on this list may need a third team). Another would be Hachimura, Vincent and Hood-Schifino.

Pros: Grant addresses needs in wing defense, shooting (40.2 percent from three last season) and scoring. Lower salary, relative to "star" alternatives.

Cons: Is Grant willing to go back to a support role offensively? Would the Blazers demand a higher-than-market price from the Lakers?

Alternative: Robert Williams III

Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies

Current salary: $20.2 million
Remaining contract: $41.8 million/two years

The Grizzlies hope to put a desolate 2023-24 season behind them and resume their playoff chase. The team went from 51 wins to 27 with injuries and off-court issues (most notably with star guard Ja Morant).

With that in mind, Smart isn't currently available. But if the team hits a roadblock, Smart could become available at the deadline based on his age, salary and position, as the team is heavily invested in Desmond Bane and Morant. Jaren Jackson Jr. will also be due a new deal starting in 2026-27.

It's too early to gauge the asking price, but Russell's expiring contract plus Hood Schifino currently works as a two-team trade without putting Memphis over the luxury tax.

Pros: The Lakers need to improve defensively in the backcourt. Smart is a strong, tough, physical defender with significant postseason experience.

Cons: Smart isn't a great shooter (32.3 percent from three over his career) and has struggled to stay healthy.

Alternative: Luke Kennard

Walker Kessler/Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz

Current salary: $3.0 million (Kessler), $18.4 million (Sexton)
Remaining contracts: $7.8 million/two years (Kessler), $37.5 million/two years (Sexton)

The Jazz are rebuilding but may be willing to part with Kessler in the right deal. While Utah may be more willing to part with Jordan Clarkson, Sexton might be available (for a heftier price).

Utah, like Portland, has no compelling reason to make a deal. The franchise should be greedy in negotiations with the Lakers, who are under significant pressure to improve immediately.

Kessler and Sexton combine to make just slightly more than Smart, and making the numbers work would be much easier than chasing Young or LaVine.

Pros: Kessler is inexpensive, young and fills a significant need at center. Sexton, almost 26, averaged 18.7 points and 4.9 assists last season, shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range.

Cons: Sexton isn't as strong a defender as Smart. The price to get both from the Jazz (in terms of picks) may be prohibitive.

Alternative: Jordan Clarkson

Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

Current salary: $36 million
Remaining contract: $36 million
Trade Kicker: 15 percent (additional $5.4 million)

The Lakers originally drafted Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, trading him in 2019 to acquire Davis from New Orleans. Ingram is extension-eligible, but he and the Pelicans appear to be at an impasse.

Ingram doesn't really fit a need, as he's not a high-impact defender. His offense is primarily self-created in the midrange, which isn't ideal with James and Davis, but the Lakers previously chased DeMar DeRozan, who has a somewhat similar style.

An Ingram deal would be more of an opportunistic move for both teams, with the Lakers just going with the best talent available (in theory). As with some of the more expensive players on the list, the challenge is Ingram's trade bonus.

The Pelicans historically don't pay luxury taxes. An Ingram deal would probably need to shed salary in New Orleans, so a third (or fourth) team might be needed to get a deal done.

Assuming Ingram waives his trade bonus (not a given), a deal built around Russell, Hachimura, and Hood-Schifino would work mathematically for L.A.

Pros: Ingram is talented and relatively young. The Lakers are familiar with him as a player and person.

Cons: Ingram will be expensive to retain and isn't exactly what the Lakers currently need.

Cam Johnson, Brooklyn Nets

Current salary: $22.5-$27 million
Remaining contract: $65.5-78.7 million/three years

The Nets indicated their direction this summer when they dealt Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. It seems inevitable that Johnson is next to go.

The trade market will determine how much the Nets ask for, and while they may not be in a rush, the team may be more eager to reset than the Blazers and Jazz. Johnson, 28, has struggled to stay healthy for much of his career, but he's a career 39.2 percent three-point shooter.

The Lakers must account for Johnson's full potential salary ($27 million)—similar to Grant's number in Portland. The Nets previously had interest in Russell. If that remains, a deal could grow to include other players.

Pros: Johnson can shoot and is likely available.

Cons: He struggles to stay healthy, and his unlikely incentives count toward the Lakers' spending limit

Alternatives: Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder, Day'Ron Sharpe

Jonas Valančiūnas/Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards

Current salary: $9.9 million (Valančiūnas), $22.5 million (Brogdon)
Remaining contract: $30.3 million/three years ($20.3 million guaranteed) (Valančiūnas), $22.5 million (Brogdon)

The Wizards are rebuilding, suggesting that Valančiūnas could become available after his trade restriction lifts on December 15. Washington acquired him via sign-and-trade from the Pelicans, along with Brogdon from the Blazers in early July.

Both fill positions of need for the Lakers at center and point guard. Valančiūnas is on a workable contract for L.A. Brogdon's contract is short, and he's less likely to earn nearly as much in his next deal.

Would the Lakers give up a first for the pair, perhaps with Russell, Hood-Schifino and Vincent (or Vanderbilt) out? L.A. might need to add a backup ball-handling guard, but it's an arguable path forward.

Pros: Brogdon is a 39.1 percent three-point shooter (career)

Cons: Brogdon is almost 32 and has struggled to stay healthy; Valančiūnas is 32. Giving up a first for two older players better lead to a significant playoff result. The Lakers end up thin at point guard, especially if Brogdon gets hurt.

Alternative: Kyle Kuzma (who has a very similar contract to Cam Johnson, almost $27 million for 2023-24 with unlikely incentives, but also has a 15 percent trade kicker)

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Current salary: $36.7 million
Remaining contract: $163.2 million/four years
Trade Kicker: 15 percent, but $0 bonus as he's earning above max

The Cavaliers reinvested in Donovan Mitchell and may stick with their core of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Mitchell and Garland. If something changes, the Lakers would undoubtedly be interested in the team's young point guard.

Garland, 24, averaged 21.7 points and 8.6 assists in his 2021-22 All-Star season. The Lakers would view him as their cornerstone point guard, and the price would be presumably both of L.A.'s available first-round picks.

Taking in his salary would also be challenging, but Russell, Hachimura and Hood-Schifino are probably the cleanest path. It's a lot for the Lakers to give up in depth and potential draft compensation.

Pros: The Lakers add a young, All-Star point guard.

Cons: Garland would be expensive.

Alternative: Allen

Isaiah Stewart II, Detroit Pistons

Current salary: $15 million
Remaining contract: $60 million/four years (player option)

Yes, Stewart tried to fight James in 2021, but that was long ago. The Pistons continue to rebuild, and Stewart was extended by previous leadership before the hiring of top executive Trajan Langdon.

Stewart has a lengthy, cap-friendly contract. If Langdon isn't committed to the players he inherited, he could look to relocate Stewart, who would be a great fit on the Lakers. Although only 6'8", he's 250 lbs, strong and physical. Stewart also spiked to 38.3 percent from three-point range last season, suggesting he may be able to help space the floor alongside Davis.

At this point, there's no real buzz that Stewart is available (let alone the asking price), but the Lakers have draft compensation and players like Russell, Hachimura, Vincent, Hood-Schifino, etc. With Stewart's smaller salary, a deal with Detroit would be easier to fashion with just 1-2 players out from L.A.

Pros: Stewart is young and on a good contract. The Lakers don't need to send out 3-4 players.

Cons: A little short—and better double-check that he and James are cool.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic

Current salary: $12.0 million
Remaining contract: $22.8 million/two years

Carter started 48 of the 55 games he was available for last season. He's a steady presence with good size (6'10", 270 lbs). The Magic have depth at the position with Jonathan Isaac, Mo Wagner and Goga Bitadze. Situationally, Paolo Banchero can also play center.

It's unclear if he'll be available this season, but if the Magic decide to make a change, Russell should be a low-cost consideration from the Lakers. He would add needed shooting and additional ball-handling/shot creation.

L.A. would need to find another point guard (probably elsewhere), but Carter would help fill the hole at center.

Pros: Another inexpensive young big the Lakers should consider, if available.

Cons: Carter has struggled to stay consistently healthy and doesn't have significant playoff experience.

Alternatives: Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, Bitadze

Honorable Mentions

The NBA is predictable until it isn't. Every year, a few deals seem to come from out of nowhere, some of which significantly shift the balance of power.

The Warriors recently extended Steph Curry, but he's still technically trade-eligible this season. If Golden State falls apart this season and Curry pushes a trade to the Lakers, it's challenging but possible.

The same can be said of Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers may not intend to chase a star with a massive contract, but Curry and Durant would probably be exceptions if they somehow became available.

Speaking of the Warriors, James and Davis have a strong relationship with Draymond Green (on the Klutch Sports band). There may be no intel now that he's available, and while the Lakers need a center, do they need a smaller, older, non-shooting one? Still, Green is worth keeping an eye on if Golden State flounders.

Jimmy Butler may be the most likely of the three—albeit unlikely—stars to move if he and the Miami Heat can't agree on an extension. Taking on Butler's $48.8 million this season would be difficult but not impossible (though it would take more than just the two teams).

The Toronto Raptors opted to keep Bruce Brown Jr. ($23 million) to trade him. Chris Boucher is also believed to be available. Neither is an exact fit for L.A., but they could be targeted in a complex multi-team deal.

Trade season doesn't usually start until mid-December, but the NBA will probably have a few deals go down before the beginning of the regular season. The Lakers may need to wait for the best opportunity, and the list of quality role players who might help is long. It's just a matter of the franchise finding a favorable deal that works under the harsh restrictions the Lakers face as high-spenders within the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.