If the 2025-26 regular season were to end today, the Los Angeles Lakers would face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. If Los Angeles were to defeat Denver, then they'd likely encounter the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
If the Lakers, or any other team, knock the Thunder out of the playoffs, then a trade for either Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins would become a legitimately viable pursuit over the summer.
The Lakers are expected to be among the most active teams during the 2026 offseason. They project to have a surplus of cap space compared to other contenders, as well as roster spots to fill and a clear need for three-point shooting.
Though free agency will be a focal point, it would behoove the Lakers to explore the trade market, as well, given their ability to take back larger contracts.
In the event that they’re willing to do so, Oklahoma City would be a team worth calling. The Thunder will soon be encountering the second apron and will thus have to choose between club options for key players Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein, and trading some of their more expensive contracts—and it may not come down to one or the other.
The Thunder may ultimately choose to face the second apron if they win a second consecutive championship, but a failed pursuit of the 2026 title could lead to Joe or Wiggins' departure.
Knocking Thunder out of playoffs could open door to Lakers trade
Joe and Wiggins have flown under the radar on a stacked Thunder team, but they’re two of the best shooters in the NBA. Over the past two seasons, Joe has averaged 10.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.6 three-point field goals made in just 21.6 minutes per game.
Those numbers translate to 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 4.3 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes—on .442/.418/.861 shooting.
Wiggins has experienced similar success in limited minutes. During that same two-year stretch, he's averaged 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in just 23.2 minutes per game.
Wiggins' production translates to similarly impressive marks of 17.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.7 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes on .470/.381/.797 shooting.
If Thunder cut costs, Isaiah Joe & Aaron Wiggins would be trade options
For the Lakers, adding either player would mean making progress toward addressing the need for three-point shooting. Los Angeles currently ranks in the bottom half of the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and will see many of its best shooters enter free agency this summer.
That at least offers reason to kick the tires on a potential trade that would be built around Los Angeles leveraging its ability to help Oklahoma City cut costs.
In 2026-27, Joe will make $11,323,006 and Wiggins will be owed $9,224,300 during the third season of his front-loaded five-year, $45 million deal. Los Angeles will have the space to easily take back one of the two salaries and instantly bolster their rotation.
Unfortunately, the tall task that may prove necessary to convincing the Thunder that change is necessary is knocking the defending champions out of the playoffs.