The Los Lakers’ ideal trade target is not a star, is not expensive, and is not even playing right now. It is Haywood Highsmith, quietly sitting on a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets team and potentially available for a reasonable price.
If he returns from his torn meniscus by playoff time, he could be the exact rotation piece the Lakers need. Not to mention, this is a player coming off the best season of his career.
Why Highsmith fits what the Lakers need
Highsmith appeared in 74 games, played nearly 25 minutes a night, averaged 6.5 points, grabbed around a steal a game, and shot just under 40 percent from beyond the arc. Those numbers are solid, but they are only part of the story.
His real value comes from the defensive possessions that do not show up in the box score. He is an army knife on defense, as he can hold his own in rotations, switches, and contests. He can also bring calm to chaotic plays.
Lakers fans love aiming high, but this roster does not need another player who relies on volume. While names like Andrew Wiggins generate buzz, Highsmith is the cleaner, more realistic fit. He does not need touches; he does not need plays drawn up for him, and, most importantly, he will not cost the Lakers their future.
His contract makes a move like this even better. Highsmith is on a very movable $5.6 million expiring contract. Miami originally traded him to Brooklyn simply to solve their luxury tax crunch. The Nets received Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick in exchange for only a protected 2026 second-round pick, a clear sign that the market for him was thin.
His seven-foot wingspan makes him a legitimate defensive weapon. He has proven he can guard bigger wings and execute defensive schemes at a high level. He also has experience. He has been on the floor in real postseason moments, contributing during Miami’s 2023 run to the NBA Finals. He understands playoff basketball, and that is something the Lakers can’t have enough of.
As the deadline gets closer, the price for Highsmith might rise slightly, but not into a range that should scare the Lakers off. This is the type of role player who elevates a rotation without changing the team’s identity.
Highsmith will not dominate the stat sheet, but he will give the Lakers exactly what they have been missing. And sometimes, that is the move that makes the most significant difference.