The Los Angeles Lakers want to add a player who can improve their “point of attack defense,” according to NBA insiders Dan Woike and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
So far this offseason, the Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and signed Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton.
“The Lakers have additional roster work to do,” Woike and Vardon wrote. “The team can create a roster spot by waiving guard Shake Milton, and team sources have said that improving the team’s point of attack defense is a priority.”
Los Angeles lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs despite having Luka Doncic, LeBron James and home-court advantage. Minnesota won Games 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the best-of-seven series.
As of this writing, here’s the Lakers’ current roster: Doncic, James, Ayton, LaRavia, Jordan Goodwin, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, Milton, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and rookie Adou Thiero.
Los Angeles acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks last season in February. The Lakers went 18-10 with Doncic in the lineup and finished the campaign with 50 games.
Doncic and James appeared in 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15-8.
“Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him,” Doncic’s manager, Lara Beth Seager, told NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”
A five-time All-Star, Doncic can sign an extension with the Lakers on August 2 for as much as four years and $229 million. The former Mavericks superstar can also agree to a two-year extension to get him to 10 years of service in the summer of 2028, when he could sign a five-year max contract at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.
James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers worth $52.6 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason of 2026.
Latest NBA News & Rumors
- NBA Rumors: LeBron James Can Only Return to Cleveland Cavaliers if He Gets Bought Out by Los Angeles Lakers Before Start of Training Camp
- NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Won’t Gut Roster to Trade for Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James
- NBA Rumors: LeBron James Expected to Remain With Los Angeles Lakers Amid NBA Trade Rumors
- NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Not Pursuing Trade for Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James
- NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey Seeking Contract for Approximately $30 Million Annually
- NBA Rumors: New York Knicks ‘Have Continued to Touch Base’ With Ben Simmons
- NBA News: Dallas Mavericks Betting Favorite to Trade for Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James
