In a summer that has already seen its fair share of roster buzz and speculation, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be considering aggressive moves to retool their lineup ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. According to reports from multiple league insiders, the Lakers have held exploratory trade discussions involving veteran guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Donte DiVincenzo. These conversations reportedly included the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves as potential partners, with the aim of upgrading the Lakers’ supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As the Lakers continue to weigh their options in a Western Conference growing more competitive by the day, the idea of bringing back Caldwell-Pope or adding DiVincenzo signals a desire for more reliable perimeter shooting, defensive consistency, and postseason experience.
The Lakers’ interest in Caldwell-Pope makes sense on multiple levels. The veteran guard played a key role in Los Angeles’ 2020 championship run and is widely viewed within the organization as one of the most successful role player fits during the LeBron AD era. Known for his 3-and-D prowess, Caldwell-Pope thrived in the Lakers’ system by spacing the floor and guarding opposing perimeter threats. His familiarity with head coach Darvin Ham’s defensive principles and LeBron’s playmaking tendencies could make him an ideal candidate for a reunion. Currently with the Denver Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope’s name being floated in trade talks is unsurprising given Denver’s recent cap-related decisions and shifting team dynamics after their early playoff exit in 2025.
On the other hand, Donte DiVincenzo represents a more modern twist on the same kind of mold. After a strong 2024-25 campaign with the New York Knicks, where he showed marked improvement in three-point shooting and defensive hustle, DiVincenzo has emerged as a high-value target for teams needing energetic guard play and playoff-ready intensity. His familiarity with big-market expectations and postseason basketball make him an intriguing fit for a Lakers team that is trying to recapture the two-way excellence that once defined their recent title contention window. In a league where spacing and point-of-attack defense are more critical than ever, DiVincenzo’s skill set fits the Lakers’ long-standing desire for more consistent backcourt production.
Sources indicate that the discussions with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves centered around potential three-team trade frameworks, where either team could help facilitate salary matching or player movement that would help make such acquisitions viable under the current collective bargaining agreement. The Grizzlies, who are in the midst of reshaping their roster after a tumultuous, injury-riddled campaign, have multiple guard and wing options that could be on the move, including players like Ziaire Williams or even veteran Marcus Smart, depending on the direction they choose to pursue. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, find themselves in a precarious position of trying to maintain their recent postseason momentum while navigating contract challenges around Karl-Anthony Towns and their expensive defensive core.
For the Lakers, any trade involving players like Caldwell-Pope or DiVincenzo would likely necessitate parting with younger assets or future draft compensation. Names such as Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, or even Dalton Knecht—who recently signed his rookie deal after being drafted 17th overall—have surfaced in preliminary discussions. Additionally, veteran contracts like those of Gabe Vincent or Rui Hachimura may be used to help match salaries depending on the size and scope of the deal. The Lakers are expected to be cautious about depleting their limited asset chest but are reportedly open to consolidating depth in favor of more playoff-tested personnel.
The front office’s renewed urgency comes in the wake of a 2025 postseason exit that left many within the organization questioning the roster’s balance and toughness. While LeBron James remains a high-level contributor even in his 40s, and Anthony Davis continues to be a defensive anchor when healthy, the Lakers have struggled to find consistent production from their supporting cast. D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and others have had moments of brilliance, but inconsistency and injuries have plagued any attempt to build momentum across full playoff series. The idea behind targeting players like Caldwell-Pope and DiVincenzo is to surround the superstar duo with high-IQ, low-maintenance contributors who don’t need the ball to impact the game.
There’s also the question of fit within the new-look Western Conference. With the Oklahoma City Thunder emerging as a juggernaut built around youth and depth, and the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors still presenting dangerous veteran cores, the Lakers can’t afford to enter the season hoping for internal development alone. The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans also continue to rise, while the Mavericks, now headlined by the dynamic Luka Doncic–Kyrie Irving duo, are looking increasingly dangerous after their 2025 Finals appearance. It’s a crowded field, and the margin for error is slim.
The Lakers’ front office—led by Rob Pelinka—is walking a delicate tightrope. On one hand, they must maximize what could be LeBron’s final run in purple and gold; on the other, they can’t recklessly mortgage their future, especially given Davis’ long-term presence and the looming possibility of post-LeBron retooling. Thus, trade targets like Caldwell-Pope and DiVincenzo make the most sense. They offer immediate production without the need for extensive development and can function in multiple lineup combinations. DiVincenzo in particular provides insurance against guard injuries and can play both on and off the ball, an increasingly valuable trait in today’s NBA.
Defensively, both players also fit what Darvin Ham and the Lakers coaching staff have tried to emphasize: communication, quick rotations, and the ability to switch effectively on the perimeter. Last season, the Lakers struggled to contain quick guards and shooters, often relying too heavily on Davis to clean up mistakes at the rim. Adding perimeter defenders like Caldwell-Pope or DiVincenzo would reduce that burden and allow the Lakers to run more aggressive schemes without sacrificing structure. It also brings back the kind of defensive identity that characterized their 2020 title team, which leaned heavily on versatile wings and guards who could hold their own one-on-one.
There are also financial considerations. The new CBA’s punitive tax measures have made it harder for teams like the Lakers to operate with bloated payrolls while maintaining flexibility. Both Caldwell-Pope and DiVincenzo are on manageable contracts compared to some of the league’s pricier guard options. While acquiring either would come at a cost, the Lakers would not necessarily be locking themselves into long-term financial immobility. Given that LeBron’s next contract will likely come with a lower annual value and more team-friendly structure, the Lakers may be looking to align their timeline around AD’s remaining prime years and reset after 2026.
From a locker room standpoint, both players offer professionalism and experience. Caldwell-Pope’s prior stint with the Lakers left no known issues, and he was frequently cited as a calming presence who understood his role and thrived under postseason pressure. DiVincenzo, though younger, has a championship pedigree with Milwaukee and has quickly built a reputation as a tireless worker and team-first player. In a locker room that has occasionally been fragmented by role confusion or unbalanced leadership dynamics, these are qualities that could help stabilize the group for a deep playoff push.
The challenge, as always, lies in execution. Trade talks in July are often speculative, and while these discussions show serious intent, much depends on what the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and other potential partners are willing to accept in return. The Lakers are far from the only team interested in experienced two-way guards, and competition from contenders like the Heat, Celtics, or even Clippers could complicate negotiations. Still, the fact that the Lakers are even engaging in such focused talks suggests they understand what’s at stake.
With training camp only a couple months away, time is of the essence. The Lakers know that running it back without meaningful upgrades is unlikely to yield a different outcome in a brutal Western Conference. If they can strike the right balance between cost, fit, and chemistry, landing either Caldwell-Pope or DiVincenzo—or perhaps even both in a creative multi-team maneuver—could significantly raise their floor and ceiling. For a team with championship aspirations and limited time left on LeBron’s clock, moves like these might not just be desirable—they may be necessary.
