The Los Angeles Lakers are actively seeking to enhance their roster following a recent trade with the Brooklyn Nets that brought in Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

A proposed three-team trade would see the Lakers acquiring Jakob Pöltl and Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors, along with Dalano Banton from the Portland Trail Blazers.

In this trade scenario, the Raptors would receive Deandre Ayton and several players from the Lakers, including Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino, along with a protected first-round pick and a second-round pick.

The Portland Trail Blazers would benefit by acquiring Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, and Garrett Temple from the Raptors, while offloading Christian Wood from the Lakers.

However, the Lakers face challenges in executing trades due to limited assets, with only two second-round picks available in 2025.

The team's main issues include inconsistent defense, particularly in the backcourt, and a lack of a solid backup center aside from Trey Jemison III.

Pöltl's addition would enable Anthony Davis to play more as a roaming defender, reminiscent of the Lakers' successful 2020 championship strategy, while Mitchell would provide much-needed defensive depth.

This trade is aimed at shifting the Lakers towards a more defensive identity, leveraging the offensive talents of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves.

For the Blazers, this trade would help reduce payroll by replacing Ayton's hefty contract with lower-cost players, while acquiring valuable second-round picks to support their rebuilding efforts.

The Raptors would be banking on Ayton's compatibility with their young core, while also gaining Hachimura and additional draft picks to strengthen their future.

To facilitate this trade, the Lakers may need to consider moving a starter like Hachimura, potentially along with future first-round picks, due to their limited contract flexibility.