While the New York Knicks entered the offseason looking to maintain the core of a championship team, the Los Angeles Lakers entered it looking to build one around superstar point guard Luka Doncic.
Once LeBron James left, things got immediately more challenging. After all, finding a replacement for the NBA’s all time leading scorer is no easy task, especially if he is still a borderline All-NBA player.
But the Lakers have done well in addressing some key areas, though there are multiple holes on the roster they are actively looking to address. L.A. is looking for someone to back up rising star big man Walker Kessler and a player they can count on to bring it every night as the starting power forward. Perhaps a reunion with a former beloved Laker would solve one problem.
Should the Lakers Go After This Versatile Knicks Star?
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 03: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Knicks are champions. They are also mighty expensive. For their part, they’ve done well maintaining key pieces on team-friendly deal this offseason. Credit those players, too.
But within the conference, there may be an All-NBA big man on the verge of changing teams after his best season as a pro. Detroit Pistons star Jalen Duren is stuck in an ongoing summer stalemate. We saw one restricted free agent — former Denver Nuggets wingman Peyton Watson — switch teams in a blockbuster trade; could we see one more? Here’s a four-team trade framework that solves a major need for both the Lakers and Knicks.
Knicks receive: Jalen Duren (via sign-and-trade; four-year, $167.2 million contract) Jake LaRavia, Taurean Prince and second round picks in 2030, 2031 and 2032.
Pistons receive: Mikal Bridges, second round picks in 2027 and 2028 and and a 2033 first round pick
Lakers receive: Josh Hart and Garry Harris
Clippers receive: Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy
The Lakers solve their power forward need by landing one of the best role players in the league, while the Clippers pick up two young, developing players to experiment with. The Pistons end the Duren stalemate and pick up a strong replacement for the recently-departed Tobias Harris, while the Knicks shed serious payroll, get under the luxury tax and land one of the best young centers in the Association.
Why All Teams Do the Trade
The Clippers surrender one second round pick for two players who could become stars in their role.
The Pistons land Bridges, a solid wing scorer and elite on-ball defender who can help them mimic what they had with Harris last season. But Bridges is a better player than Harris and several years younger. With Detroit showing confidence in 27-year-old big man Paul Reed last season, the team would have an internal fallback option if it moves Duren. With Bridges, the Pistons could keep up last season’s pace and give the ascending Cade Cunningham a wing co-star to operate with.
For the Knicks, losing Mitchell Robinson to the rival Boston Celtics was a significant blow. The Knicks are currently without a starting center. That is not good for a team that hopes to defend its title. Not only does New York not have someone to start at center, but the team is dug into the tax and not far from the second apron. One move could change that drastically, and that move could be to bring in a 22-year-old rising superstar who would approach his prime years as Jalen Brunson moves into his 30s. A core of Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Duren makes the Knicks even more dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Lakers would welcome back Hart, who was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz before subsequently being dealt to the Lakers. Hart played one season in L.A. before being a part of a seismic trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Lakers.
At 31, Hart is still in his prime and is one of the league’s best Swiss Army knives. Hart, who averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from the 3-point line last season, would give the Lakers exactly what they are looking for: a 3-and-D forward with proven playoff experience.
Knicks Proposed to Trade Josh Hart to Lakers for 22-Year-Old All-NBA Center