Proposed Lakers Trade Has LA Land $165 Million 3-Time All-Star

The Los Angeles Lakers missed out on another potential trade target as the Atlanta Hawks landed Kristaps Porzingis in a deal with the Boston Celtics. As blockbuster trades continue to be announced around The Association, the Lakers’ options are starting to lessen.

With the arrival of the NBA draft, fans can expect trade talks to heat up in the coming days. One name being floated in NBA rumors is Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo.

Sports Illustrated’s Anthony Pasciolla offered a potential trade proposal that has the Lakers making a big splash by landing Adebayo. Los Angeles has to part with fan favorite Austin Reaves as part of the deal.

Here are the full details of the NBA trade pitch.

Los Angeles acquires Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith in the blockbuster trade. Miami adds Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and two first-round picks (2026, 2030) in exchange for the star.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this potential deal for the Lakers and Heat.

Lakers Rumors: Can Los Angeles Trade for Heat Star Bam Adebaya?

It remains to be seen if Reaves plus two first-round picks would be enough to pry Adebayo away from South Beach. Los Angeles loses a shooting playmaker but lands the big fish the team has been searching for down low to pair with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

“To do so, upgrading their frontcourt this offseason is essential,” Pasciolla wrote in a June 24, 2025, story titled, “Lakers Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sees L.A. Go All In By Swapping Austin Reaves For $165 Million All-Star Center.” “While there are short-term and relatively cheap options in free agency like Clint Capela or Brook Lopez, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the front office goes all in with a blockbuster move to help James and Luka Doncic.

“… Let’s answer the question of why Heat team president Pat Riley and company would trade Adebayo. Riley went on record at the beginning of the offseason claiming that the organization would not run it back. After missing out on veteran superstar Kevin Durant, rebuilding seems like a more realistic option than ever before.”

Heat Center Bam Adebaya Would Be a Perfect Fit Alongside LeBron James & Luka Doncic

Adebayo is set to begin a three-year, $165 million contract that will run through the 2028-29 season. The star has a player option for the final season of this lucrative deal. Lakers insider Jovan Buha made the case for Adebayo being an ideal fit alongside Doncic and James in Los Angeles.

“I think he’d be good next to Luka because they’re both All-Star, All-NBA guys, and they’re both smart and they can make it work,” Buha explained on an April 28, podcast, per Yahoo Sports.

“I think Bam is not enough of a lob threat for what the Lakers would want. Defensively, he’d be great because he’s a great defender, but I don’t know if they could get him. … From a trade [perspective], I don’t really see LA having enough to offer [to Miami].”

It remains to be seen how the Lakers’ recent sale could impact the team’s upcoming roster moves. Los Angeles will need to final a solution at center, even if it does not mean landing a star like Adebayo.