Lakers predicted to cut ties with forward in trade Luka Doncic wouldn't like

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Getting on Luka Doncic’s bad side isn’t ideal in any way, shape, or form for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After all, Doncic is the only irreplaceable contributor on the Lakers' roster, and with winning several championships being the 27-year-old’s primary goal moving forward, it would be in the Lakers’ best interest to keep him happy at all times.

In Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts’ opinion, though, the Lakers may be forced to cut ties with a 6-foot-8, 27-year-old forward in a trade that Watts believes would disappoint Doncic.

"The Los Angeles Lakers should trade Jarred Vanderbilt, despite his closer relationship with Luka Doncic,” Watts wrote Sunday. “Fans saw their friendship throughout the season, including the superstar wearing Vando’s fit. Doncic has plenty of say over the roster, but it is time to move on from the 6-foot-8 forward if the Lakers want to be serious title contenders."

“Vando is set to make $12.4 million next season and has a $13.2 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. That is entirely too much money for a forward only capable of playing 15 minutes per game.”

“The Lakers should include him as a salary-matcher in a trade and move on. It should be all about winning, even if that means moving on from Luka's friend.”

Unfortunately for Doncic, Watts told the truth while discussing Vanderbilt’s future with the Lakers. The Kentucky product has always been a well-rounded defender open to embracing any and every challenge that arises (he did a phenomenal job of defending Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry on the perimeter in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals).

That said, possessing a limited offensive repertoire will only get a player so far in the modern NBA. Vanderbilt isn’t a high-level slasher or respectable long-range shooter, making it challenging to vouch for him to receive extended minutes with the Lakers.

At this stage of his career, Vanderbilt is far from a plus contributor, making Watts’ offseason suggestion a likely possibility.

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