The NBA offseason is always ripe with speculation, but this year the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at the center of swirling trade rumors and roster shake-ups as the 2025-26 season looms. With the 2025 NBA preseason already underway and teams across the league testing new lineups and strategies, the Lakers’ front office is reportedly weighing a significant move that could send ripples through the Western Conference.
Seventh-year forward Rui Hachimura’s future with the Lakers is growing increasingly uncertain. According to multiple reports dated September 18, 2025, Hachimura is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and as of yet, the Lakers have not offered him a contract extension. This has fueled speculation about his role on the team and whether he might be on the move before the regular season even tips off.
Enter Obi Toppin, the Indiana Pacers forward whose stock has soared following a breakout performance in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Toppin was instrumental in the Pacers’ surprise run to the NBA Finals, where they took the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling seven-game series. Over 23 playoff games, Toppin averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, and he upped his production in the Finals to 11.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 37% from beyond the arc. Not bad for a player once considered a role guy!
It’s no wonder, then, that Toppin has emerged as a prime target for the Lakers. Fadeaway World recently floated a three-team trade scenario involving the Lakers, Knicks, and Pacers. The proposed deal would see the Lakers acquire Toppin and two future second-round picks (2026 and 2028), the Knicks land Hachimura, and the Pacers receive Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa via sign-and-trade. The rationale? Each team addresses a pressing need while staying mindful of the salary cap—a dance that’s become all too familiar in today’s NBA.
For the Lakers, Toppin’s arrival would represent more than just a swap of forwards. His contract, averaging $14.5 million over the next three years, is $4.2 million less than Hachimura’s $18.7 million cap hit for the upcoming season. That’s a significant saving for a team looking to keep its books clean for 2027, when big free agency moves could be in play. As one report put it, “The forward’s arrival immediately frees up some cap space for the Purple and Gold. With a $14 million cap hit next season ($4.2 million less than Hachimura), Toppin’s acquisition would allow the Lakers to make key midseason signings or trades that could potentially transform the team into a title contender.”
But it’s not just about the numbers. Toppin’s athleticism and versatility are tailor-made for a Lakers offense orchestrated by superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. In a system that thrives on movement, spacing, and transition play, Toppin’s ability to finish lobs and stretch the floor with his shooting could prove invaluable. “Toppin has cultivated a reputation for being one of the most athletic players in the league. The potential for him to feed off lobs in the dunker’s spot makes for a viable option on offense,” notes one analysis.
Meanwhile, Hachimura’s role in Los Angeles appears to be shifting. After starting 57 of 59 games last season (and 39 of 68 the year before), he may find himself coming off the bench in 2025-26. Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha recently discussed the team’s likely lineup changes on his podcast, suggesting that Marcus Smart could start in the backcourt to bolster perimeter defense. Buha explained, “If you have Smart defensively [guarding] 1-through-3, or 1-through-4, you still need a backcourt defender… Ideally, you can ask Austin [Reaves] guarding the secondary backcourt guy, Smart guarding the primary guy, and Luka and LeBron roaming and guarding the two forwards, and Ayton staying in drop [coverage].”
That kind of defensive versatility is something the Lakers have sorely missed in recent years, especially as they’ve tried to balance star power with depth. With a veteran core led by James and Doncic, and the recent addition of Deandre Ayton, the Lakers are clearly in win-now mode. Adding Toppin could be the missing piece that allows them to match up with the West’s best while maintaining financial flexibility.
As for Hachimura, a move to the New York Knicks could offer a fresh start and a bigger role. The Knicks, who are eager to build on last season’s progress, would benefit from Hachimura’s durability and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. Fadeaway World argues, “As the Knicks prepare to make the most of their opportunities next season, they will need depth on their roster. Acquiring Hachimura would give them a reliable rotation player in the frontcourt who can contribute when called upon to do so. When factoring in his durability, in comparison to Mitchell Robinson’s, acquiring the 27-year-old could be viewed favorably.”
All this drama is unfolding as the 2025 NBA preseason heats up. The preseason tipped off on October 2 in Abu Dhabi, with the Philadelphia 76ers facing the New York Knicks at noon Eastern. The Lakers’ own preseason schedule is packed with intriguing matchups, including a clash with the Phoenix Suns on October 3 at 10:00 p.m. ET and a highly anticipated showdown against the Golden State Warriors on October 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on ESPN. Fans can catch the action on NBA TV, regional sports networks, and streaming services like YouTube TV, Fubo TV, and NBA League Pass.
For the Lakers, these preseason games are more than just warm-ups—they’re auditions. With roster spots and starting roles up for grabs, every minute on the floor matters. The outcome of the potential Toppin-Hachimura trade could reshape the Lakers’ rotation and set the tone for a season where expectations are sky-high.
The NBA preseason runs through October 17, giving teams a final chance to tinker before the regular season begins on October 22. The Lakers will close out their preseason slate against the Sacramento Kings on October 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET, a game that could offer fans a glimpse of what’s to come—whether that includes Toppin in purple and gold, or Hachimura still fighting for his spot in Los Angeles.
As the Lakers weigh their options and the trade market continues to churn, one thing is clear: the NBA never sleeps. With every rumor and roster move, the stakes get higher, and fans everywhere are left wondering—who will be the next piece to fall in this high-stakes game of basketball chess?
