Dec. 15 is an important date for Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, and Jaxson Hayes. For those four key free agents signings of the Los Angeles Lakers, trade restrictions will be lifted entirely and Rob Pelinka can begin dangling them in trade offers, if necessary.
The Lakers have made it no secret that they want to see banner 18 hanging in the rafters upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. That may involve some tough decisions along the way, but it is doubtful what role any of these four should be expected to play in potential trade negotiations.
Deandre Ayton
It would be surprising to see the Lakers move on from Ayton after what can easily be considered a strong start in Los Angeles. The former Portland Trail Blazers center was brought in to reinforce the frontcourt, and the expectations have been met thus far.
Ayton has been a reliable option as the starting center. His production is on par with what many considered was a very doable contribution rate for the former first overall pick.
Has it been the absolute best case scenario for the Lakers? Maybe not. However, things have been quiet in the Ayton department, in the best kind of way possible.
There should be little doubt regarding the Lakers center getting to play out the remainder of the 2025-26 season in Los Angeles. Barring a catastrophic collapse between now and February, Ayton has some decent job security with his current franchise.
Marcus Smart
There is absolutely no chance the Lakers will want to move Smart. The energy, toughness, and attitude brought by the former Defensive Player of the Year has been incredibly valuable for Los Angeles.
Smart is not a player whose counting stats do him justice in terms of his impact. However, the advanced numbers do like the Lakers guard quite a fair bit.
The only real reason for Pelinka and the front office to consider trading Smart away would have to do with his health. So far, the free-agent signee has been relatively dependable. If that should change before February, the Lakers could get just cause.
Jake LaRavia
Similarly to the first two, the Lakers have very little reason to consider LaRavia in future trades. The two-way wing was clearly prioritized in free agency and the results have spoken for themselves.
LaRavia has delivered in several key departments the Lakers were lacking. The 24-year-old is a good scorer, capable of being elevated to a bigger role when needed. The shooting and defense have both been solid.
LaRavia fits almost any lineup in which the Lakers need him. Unless the young wing is a necessary inclusion for a definitive ceiling raiser, it is tough to envision him not continuing to get his moments to keep proving the front office right.
Jaxson Hayes
This is where things get interesting. Hayes is having a serviceable season as the backup center in Los Angeles. However, if there is a good enough pathway to a low-cost improvement at the spot, there could be reason to think the Lakers big man gets tossed into the trade.
The likelier path for Los Angeles would be using other contracts to go and get an upgrade at the backup position and keeping Hayes around as extra insurance. However, his salary of $3.4 million could be viewed as necessary filler to get a trade to match up as needed.
Out of these four players, Hayes is the most replaceable. That being said, the Lakers center has not played his way off the team by any means either.