The Lakers knew that their roster was far from a finished product directly after acquiring Luka Doncic. Their big man depth showed up as a major weakness in the playoffs, as did their lack of depth. Now that they're out of the playoffs after a 103-96 loss to the Timberwolves, they will have a chance to address those flaws.
Los Angeles' roster issues are very fixable. Stars are what the league is built on, so they have the hardest part figured out. This team should have championship goals over the next several seasons, but they need to get this next part right.
The Lakers should be targeting a specific type of player to fit next to Luka and LeBron James. They need a big man who is capable of catching lob passes and protecting the rim. They also need more shooting to put alongside their two major offensive threats. They have the tools to get that done, both through free agency and trades. Here's what they should be looking for.
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Lakers free agency spending and targets
Much of the Lakers' free agency spending will be determined by LeBron. If he comes back at around the same salary, then they project to be in the tax yet again. That would greatly limit their spending options in free agency.
The Lakers were in a similar situation last summer. LeBron agreed to take a small pay cut if it could help bring in certain impact players including James Harden, Klay Thompson, or Jonas Valanciunas. He could do the same this summer.
In the event that he was willing to make that type of sacrifice, the Lakers would likely be limited to the taxpayer mid-level exception of around $5.7 million. They could add a bigger salary via sign-and-trade, but they would have to attach some sort of asset in order to do so.
They definitely don't have enough to bring in an A-tier star like Giannis Antetokounmpo. But there are some useful players who could come in for that price.
Clint Capela
Capela isn't the player that he once was. He's lost two steps, and his finishing around the rim has gotten worse. That led to a demotion out of the starting lineup in Atlanta.
That might be good news for the Lakers. Capela still has a couple of good years left at age 31 as a high end backup or low level starter. He can still get up there as one of the better lob threats in the league, he's an elite offensive rebounder, and he is a very smart defensive center. Most importantly, he can come cheaply.
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Brook Lopez
Lopez is 37 years old and not the guy he was a few seasons ago. He started 80 games for a good Bucks teams but faced issues in the playoffs with his lack of footspeed.
That prices him in as another low-end starter for the Lakers. Lopez is still a great rim protector and stretch shooter who hit 37 percent of his 3's last year. He's only three years removed from finishing runner-up in DPOY voting. He and LeBron could form a tremendous backline defense.
Steven Adams
Adams might be the league's most underrated player. He wins no matter where he goes. He's a great screener, good passer, and fantastic rebounder who will do the dirty work.
Davion Mitchell
Point of attack defense was a weakness for the Lakers. Mitchell is one of the most annoying guards in the league. He will pressure full court and get a ton of deflections.
Mitchell hasn't been a high-minute player because of offensive limitations. He started hitting his 3's more consistently last year, finishing at 40 percent between the Raptors and Heat.
Other free agency options: Luke Kornet, Kevon Looney, Andre Drummond, Larry Nance Jr., Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard
Lakers trade targets
The free agency targets that the Lakers can pursue aren't game-changers. They can get much better options through the trade market.
Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht are the best chips that the Lakers have to dangle in front of other teams. They only have one first-round pick available to trade, so a good player will have to be included in any sort of deal.
Klay Thompson
The Mavericks are still desperately trying to win games next year. Reality may hit in though, and they may have to tear down their team mid-season.
Thompson proved that he fits pretty well next to Luka last season and still has a lot of shooting left. He hit 39 percent of his 3's last year for Dallas. The Lakers could move Rui Hachimura in exchange for him, allowing the Mavericks to get eight years younger.
Bam Adebayo
This is the biggest type of swing that the Lakers could go for. They could offer Reaves, Knecht, and an unprotected first round pick for the talented big man. That would get the Heat younger and reset their window for contention. Adebayo hinted that big changes are coming in Miami after they were destroyed in the first round of the playoffs.
Redick is a fan of the center, putting him no. 3 on his Defensive Player of the Year ballot back in 2024 (and snubbing Anthony Davis at the same time). LeBron expressed frustration at having to play so much center this season. Adebayo could fix that problem while still allowing the Lakers to play multiple different types of defensive schemes.
Losing Reaves would sting, but his skills aren't needed nearly as much as the size that Adebayo could provide. And as good as Reaves is, Adebayo is a three-time All-Star is still in his prime at age 27. This package might not be quite enough to get the job done, but it's worth exploring.
Lonzo Ball
Ball was one of the best stories in the league last year, coming back from a three-year hiatus. He isn't quite as fast as he used to be, but he's still an extremely smart defender who knows how to take smart gambles. He's a fantastic passer and a good 3-point shooter, and he's on a cheap $10 million salary next season.
Ball's health is the big question mark. He was only able to play 35 games last season and can't be counted on for big minutes. He could be a good bench guard though.
Marcus Smart
Smart was considered a negative asset at the trade deadline. The Grizzlies had to attach their 2025 first-round pick and Jake LaRavia in order to dump his contract. His offense had declined to the point of being damaging in Memphis.
Smart turned his season around in Washington, rediscovering his 3-point accuracy and playing the same tough defense that he's been known for. As he said during one postgame interview, "I just wanted to continue to show everybody I still do this s—."
Smart would be a very low cost flier for the Lakers. He's on an expiring $21.6 million contract, so if it doesn't work out then they could move on from him quickly. Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, and some minor draft capital could bring him in.
MORE LAKERS:
- What's next for Luka, LeBron after first-round playoff exit?
- What went wrong for Lakers during disappointing finish to season?
- Grading JJ Redick's first season as Lakers head coach
- Extension deadline, terms of Luka Doncic's contract
- What LeBron has said about retirement rumors