The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster flaws have never been more apparent. From a frustrating NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs to a narrow escape against the Phoenix Suns, one issue keeps surfacing: the team’s inability to contain elite perimeter scorers in crunch time. With the trade season heating up, the Lakers are once again positioned as buyers—but this time, their approach is far more deliberate.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers are targeting players who align with the age and timeline of franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, 26, and emerging co-star Austin Reaves, 27. Unlike past attempts at short-term fixes, Los Angeles is prioritizing sustainable growth over immediate wins, seeking young talent rather than trading premium assets for veterans in the twilight of their primes. Stein noted that the Lakers’ offseason moves—splitting their midlevel exception between 27-year-old Deandre Ayton and 24-year-old Jake LaRavia—signaled a shift toward building a long-term rotation rather than pursuing a fleeting championship window.
This philosophy has complicated Los Angeles’ pursuit of proven two-way wings. Andrew Wiggins, the 30-year-old former All-Star and Golden State Warriors championship contributor, remains a name previously linked to the Lakers. However, trade talks with the Miami Heat have stalled, and unless the Lakers are willing to overpay for a player outside their preferred age bracket, Wiggins appears increasingly unlikely. With the veteran market constrained, Los Angeles’ options narrow considerably.
The 3-and-D market offers few alternatives. Stein highlighted Sacramento’s Keon Ellis as an available option, although his minutes under coach Doug Christie have dropped significantly. New Orleans Pelicans standout Herb Jones, arguably the ideal perimeter stopper for the Lakers, remains financially out of reach, with the Pelicans reportedly demanding a haul beyond the Lakers’ trade means. Compounding the challenge, Los Angeles has only one first-round pick (2031 or 2032) available to trade this season, limiting their flexibility for impactful moves.
Despite these constraints, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has signaled a willingness to deploy future assets—though selectively. “If a transaction comes to us that sustains Lakers’ excellence and increases our odds of winning a championship, we would put future draft capital into making that move,” Pelinka said in September. Observers, however, believe patience may be the wiser path, particularly given the team’s long-term cap and roster outlook.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the Lakers’ structure provides significant flexibility. For the 2026-27 season, only Dončić ($49.8 million), Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million), and LaRavia ($6 million) are fully guaranteed, while Ayton and Marcus Smart hold player options. Other players—including LeBron James, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Jaxson Hayes—could come off the books, while younger talents like Bronny James and rookie Adou Thiero remain on partially guaranteed deals. This structure could potentially unlock three first-round picks and considerable cap space, positioning the Lakers to make a major splash in the offseason rather than in-season.
Given these factors, The Athletic’s Zach Harper suggests there is no realistic path to an in-season blockbuster trade. LeBron’s no-trade clause and the organization’s long-term planning around Dončić and Reaves make short-term gambles unlikely. In the meantime, Los Angeles appears committed to patience, resisting the temptation to make immediate, high-risk trades in favor of a roster that could peak alongside their young stars.
The next few months may be quiet in terms of dramatic moves, but the Lakers’ restraint is deliberate. By aligning their roster building with Luka Dončić’s prime and Austin Reaves’ development, Los Angeles is laying the groundwork for a sustainable, championship-contending future. Whether this long-term vision pays off could define the next era of Lakers basketball—and reshape how the franchise is perceived in the post-LeBron era.
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