The Los Angeles Lakers could have two potential trade targets emerge as a result of the Toronto Raptors’ expected acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. Jamison Battle and Trayce Jackson-Davis could become available as Toronto looks for ways to create additional breathing room under the first apron.
Kawhi Leonard Domino Effect
Leonard avoiding a suspension in the Clippers’ cap-circumvention scandal makes it increasingly likely that the Raptors will move forward with their blockbuster trade for the former Finals MVP. While Toronto would be adding another star alongside Scottie Barnes, the deal would also leave the Raptors with financial considerations to address.
Toronto will take on Leonard’s large contract in the deal, which means the Raptors will have less flexibility under the first apron. To make more room without changing their main lineup, they could move one or more smaller contracts.
Battle and Jackson-Davis stand out as two potential candidates. Battle is set to make roughly $2.3 million this season, while Jackson-Davis is owed approximately $2.4 million.
Moving either player without taking salary back would give Toronto a little more room to operate. Moving both would free up approximately $4.7 million, which could be meaningful for a team operating close to an apron.
Neither player has a contract that would usually need a big asset to move. Their low salaries and potential to help could make them appealing to teams that want affordable depth.
The Lakers could be one of those teams.
Jamison Battle
Battle would offer the Lakers another option on the wing and, most importantly, another shooter.
The 6-foot-7 forward entered the NBA after going undrafted in 2024 and quickly established himself as a legitimate perimeter threat with Toronto. Battle shot 40.5 percent from 3-point range during his rookie season while appearing in 59 games for the Raptors.
His combination of size and shooting would make him an intriguing depth option for Los Angeles. Playing alongside creators such as Luka Doncic would give Battle plenty of opportunities as a spot-up shooter, while his size would allow the Lakers to use him across multiple forward combinations.
Battle’s approximately $2.3 million salary also makes him the type of low-cost addition the Lakers could pursue without making a significant long-term financial commitment.
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Jackson-Davis would offer the Lakers a different type of option.
The 26-year-old big man has established himself as an athletic interior presence capable of finishing around the basket, rebounding, and protecting the rim. At approximately $2.4 million, Jackson-Davis would also represent inexpensive frontcourt depth for Los Angeles.
Toronto could have more incentive to keep Jackson-Davis if it values his presence behind Jakob Poeltl, but his contract would still be among the smaller salaries the Raptors could move to create additional financial flexibility.
Names to Monitor
There has been no indication that the Lakers are currently pursuing Battle or Jackson-Davis. Their potential availability, however, is worth monitoring as Toronto determines what its roster will look like following the Leonard trade.
Los Angeles does not have the cap space to simply absorb either player, so acquiring one could require some additional maneuvering or potentially the involvement of another team.
Still, the aftermath of blockbuster trades can create opportunities elsewhere around the league. With Leonard’s move to Toronto now likely to go through, Battle and Jackson-Davis could be two inexpensive players who become available as the Raptors make their next moves.
