The Los Angeles Lakers’ most pressing roster flaw has become impossible to ignore.
It surfaced again in their NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs and nearly cost them in a narrow escape against the Phoenix Suns — a recurring inability to contain elite perimeter scorers when games tighten.
As the NBA trade season heats up, league insiders believe the Lakers are once again positioned as buyers. But this time, the approach is markedly different.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Los Angeles is not simply hunting for defensive help — it is hunting with intent, guided by a long-term vision centered on franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić and emerging co-star Austin Reaves.
Lakers Target Younger Trade Pieces to Match Luka Dončić Timeline
Stein reported that the Lakers’ front office is deliberately prioritizing players who align with the age bracket of Dončić, 26, and Reaves, 27, rather than sacrificing premium assets for veterans nearing their decline years.
“Generally speaking, though, my read on the Lakers’ preferences is that they would like to target players in the same age range as stars Luka Dončić (26) and Austin Reaves (27) as they continue building out the roster around them as opposed to surrendering prime trade assets for thirtysomethings,” Stein wrote.
That philosophy guided the Lakers’ offseason strategy, when they split their midlevel exception between Deandre Ayton, 27, and Jake LaRavia, 24 — both players viewed as long-term rotation pieces rather than short-term rentals.
The move signaled a clear shift: the Lakers are building a sustainable core rather than chasing one last run.
Andrew Wiggins Talks Stall as Price Remains Too High
That approach has complicated the Lakers’ pursuit of proven two-way wings.
Los Angeles was previously linked to Andrew Wiggins, the 30-year-old former All-Star who played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship run. However, trade talks with the Miami Heat stalled last summer and have not meaningfully progressed since.
Unless the Lakers are willing to overpay for a player outside their preferred age window, Wiggins remains an unlikely acquisition.
With that option fading, the market narrows considerably.
Limited 3-and-D Market Constraints Lakers’ Options
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is defended by Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Stein noted that while the Lakers are “naturally” interested in the 3-and-D market, the available options are scarce.
“At this juncture,” Stein wrote, the market is “essentially headlined by Sacramento’s Keon Ellis,” even though Ellis is averaging nearly seven fewer minutes per game under Kings coach Doug Christie compared to last season.
Meanwhile, New Orleans Pelicans standout Herb Jones — arguably the ideal perimeter stopper for Los Angeles — appears financially out of reach.
“We mentioned the other day that the Pelicans would insist on a significant haul to part with Herb Jones,” Stein wrote. “It’s a price point presumed to be beyond the Lakers’ current trade means.”
That limitation is compounded by the Lakers’ draft capital. They currently have just one first-round pick (2031 or 2032) available to trade during the season.
Rob Pelinka Signals Willingness — But With Limits
Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has publicly acknowledged the possibility of deploying future assets — but only for the right move.
“If a transaction comes to us that leads to sustain Lakers’ excellence and puts us in a position to increase our odds of winning a championship, we would put future draft capital into making that move,” Pelinka said in September.
Still, league observers believe patience may be the wiser path.
Lakers Positioned for Massive Flexibility in 2026 and Beyond
The Lakers’ cap sheet tells the story.
For the 2026-27 season, only Dončić ($49.8 million), Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) and LaRavia ($6 million) are fully guaranteed. Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.39 million) both hold player options.
LeBron James, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes could all come off the books, while younger players like Bronny James and rookie Adou Thiero are on partially guaranteed deals. The Lakers also hold a team option on Dalton Knecht’s $4.2 million salary.
That flexibility could unlock as many as three first-round picks and significant cap space in the offseason.
Lakers Have No Immediate Path to a ‘Big Fish’
Given that structure, The Athletic’s Zach Harper does not see a realistic in-season blockbuster on the horizon.
“Everything about the Lakers since trading for Luka Dončić has been about prioritizing their flexibility in the summer of 2026,” Harper wrote. “LeBron James has a no-trade clause, so he’s probably not going anywhere.”
In the short term, the Lakers appear committed to patience — resisting short-term temptation in favor of a roster that peaks alongside Dončić and Reaves.
Whether that restraint pays off could define the next era of Lakers basketball.
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