The Memphis Grizzlies’ willingness to hear offers for Ja Morant has left trade machines around the world firing on all cylinders. One insider’s proposed deal sending Morant up north has the Lakers filling a dire need with an underrated, intriguing target.
Insider’s Mock Morant Trade Gifts Lakers 3-and-D Target
The Athletic’s Three-Team Trade Proposal
In a Saturday article for The Athletic, NBA insider Sam Vecenie put together a three-team shakeup that is as follows:
- Raptors receive: Ja Morant
- Grizzlies receive: Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter, Gabe Vincent, Toronto’s 2026 first-round pick, LA’s 2032 second-round pick
- Lakers receive: Ochai Agbaji, John Konchar
Vecenie believes the Lakers would benefit from getting athletic end-of-the-bench players without giving up significant assets:
“For some reason, Agbaji’s shooting has abandoned him this season. Still, after hitting 40 percent from 3 last season, he’s a reasonable reclamation project for a team with limited trade resources that needs to make a deal.
Konchar is a typical 10th man, but would give the Lakers a smart player and a bit more depth with his wing experience, which they need. They’re doing what they can to reshape the roster while not limiting their ability to make another deal using Maxi Kleber’s and Rui Hachimura’s expiring money.”
Though Konchar would be an okay addition for wing depth, Agbaji could be a solid backup plan in light of more unfortunate news about the Lakers’ top targets. The pipe dream of landing Herb Jones remains just that, while discussions around Andrew Wiggins and Keon Ellis have stayed dormant.
Lakers Could Capitalize on Agbaji’s Down Year in Toronto
Agbaji has taken a backseat with the Raptors, averaging 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in nearly 16 minutes per game. However, his career year the season before—10.4 points and 0.9 steals on .498/.399/.708 splits—perfectly illustrates the role he could fill if given the chance.
At 6’5” with a 6’10” wingspan, Agbaji hounds opponents with active hands and displays some surprising rim protection. Offensively, he can knock down threes off the catch and fly for the occasional highlight-worthy jam. Those skills would be welcomed to a struggling Lakers bench void of athletic two-way players—particularly with Jake LaRavia excelling with the starters as of late.
Now that the Trae Young trade has opened the market, let's hope Robert Todd Pelinka Jr can go out and get the Lakers a 2-way wing. Here's some non-Herb Jones targets linked to the trade market so far
A. Ochai Agbaji
B. Keon Ellis
C. Naji Marshall
D. Isaac OkoroWho's your pick? pic.twitter.com/NM90x8Rdz9
— JSM (@JSMonYT) January 8, 2026
The Last Word
As the trade deadline creeps closer and the Lakers’ list of secondary targets grows larger, the team may be better off making a marginal move while saving assets for a bigger trade. Agbaji could be just the player they’re looking for, as the Lakers could put him in a better situation without sacrificing that coveted first-round pick in the process.
LA remains fifth in the West at 23-13 overall, aiming to get back on track amid a two-game losing streak. The team’s second unit will be under a microscope going forward, with fans hoping the front office gets active sooner than later.
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