Lakers’ offseason plans could include strategy not used in four years

The Los Angeles Lakers are aiming for a transformative offseason. 

After falling short of a title this past season, the Lakers will look to retool in a big way in order to give their superstar, Luka Doncic, the best roster possible to compete for a championship in the 2026-27 season. 

However, that is easier said than done. This year's pool of free agents, especially unrestricted free agents, isn't that strong. Because of that, the Lakers will need to resort to bolstering the roster via trade. 

The Lakers have not struck an offseason trade for a significant player since August 2022. However, that could all change this summer accoridng to ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne. 

In a recent appearance on ESPN's NBA Today, Shelburne said that a trade is very much in play for the Lakers this summer. 

"Every conversation I have had with the Lakers, I felt like the option of using the cap space for a trade is very much in play because there's a lot of centers out there that they've been scouting all year long," Shelburne said. 

The last time the Lakers made a player trade in the offseason was for Patrick Beverly from the Utah Jazz in August 2022.

Since then, all their player trades have been in-season, notably trading for Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 and trading away Russell Westbrook to the Jazz in February 2023.

Lakers must be aggressive to improve roster 

The Lakers have been tied to a number of centers, including Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams, to name a few. Duren and Kessler are restricted free agents, and Williams and Robinson are unrestricted free agents; however, they have a long history of injury, which should give the Lakers some pause on signing them or putting them in a starting role. 

Ultimately, if the Lakers want to contend for a title this upcoming season; thye need to make a big trade for a real game changer. Kessler certainly fits that bill, as their best option to acquire him is to execute a sign-and-trade. 

A trade for Kessler will likely require L.A. to include multiple first-round picks or a core rotational player in a projected package. The same could be said if they decide to target Duren or any other big man they feel could be a stellar pair alongside Doncic. 

If the Lakers are serious about wanting to compete for a title this upcoming season, standing pat cannot be an option. Significant roster changes, specifically a trade, need to be done this summer. 

Without meaningful and impactful upgrades to the roster, it will be difficult for the Lakers to realistically position themselves among the top title contenders entering this upcoming season. 

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