While there’s much optimism and excitement about the Lakers heading into the offseason, where does the team go if they strike out this summer?
The Lakers have a huge offseason ahead of them. While everything is primed for them to have a big summer, there is the real possibility they strike out.
Everyone knows they need a center, but they aren’t alone in their search for a big man. What if it becomes a buyer’s market and the Lakers are the odd team out?
As part of a series of articles looking at different ways the summer could play out. After looking at the best-case scenario, we now continue with the worst-case scenario. Say everything goes wrong for the Lakers this summer. What does the roster look like heading into the season?
Striking out in the NBA Draft could look a couple of different ways.
It could be the team selecting a draft-and-stash player who doesn’t come over, therefore meaning they literally don’t get a player this year. It could also be selecting a player who is a bust and doesn’t pan out, though that is something the team won’t necessarily know right away.
In either instance, it ends in the team not finding anyone productive in the draft.
With their own free agents, striking out is pretty clearly not having anyone come back. While that might not be a bad thing in a vacuum with Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len, it might hurt a little bit more with Markieff Morris and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Morris was a good veteran and mentor to have around the team this season, something that isn’t always easy to find. But the big blow would be losing DFS for nothing.
It is a bit unrealistic for Finney-Smith to just completely leave, considering very few teams will have cap space and the one that will have the most is the Nets, who just traded him away. If he’s leaving, it’ll probably be a result of either something went drastically wrong in the negotiations or a bigger role on a title-contending team arises.
Again, neither scenario feels likely at all, but this isn’t looking at realistic options, it’s looking at the worst possible.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s pretty easy to depict what striking out looks like in free agency and trades. Simply put, they don’t find a legitimate center.
In free agency, that means no one impactful joins the Lakers. Players like Clint Capela, Brook Lopez and even the aforementioned Hayes all find landing spots elsewhere. The Lakers are left signing another veteran-minimum option like a Thomas Bryant, who has notable flaws and very well might not be playable in the postseason again.
On the trade market, everyone is aware that the Lakers desperately need a center and the asking prices go up. As a result, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka doesn’t make a deal. We’ve seen in the past that he’s not afraid to play the long game, as was the case with Russell Westbrook.
So, instead of overpaying in July, he heads into the season talking about still being on the search for a center. He’ll also likely tout having Maxi Kleber back and healthy this season. While he’s a legitimate role player option, having him as a starting center is not an ideal scenario.
As a result, the Lakers again are relying on imperfect solutions in a spot that is vitally important on a team led by Luka Dončić.
Outside of the center position, the Lakers are unable to swap their mid-sized contracts for players who are better fits. Inconsistent and/or injury-plagued recent seasons from Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Kleber make it hard for the Lakers to find a deal.
Realizing they’re striking out, the Lakers opt to keep their cap sheet for 2026 clear, meaning they won’t deal those players for long-term money either. Add in a lack of second round picks available to trade and the team struggles to find any deals that improve the roster.
They end the summer spending a portion of the taxpayer mid-level exception on a young player who has potential but has been inconsistent in his career. This strategy worked when they signed Malik Monk, but it also failed when they signed Cam Reddish while Lonnie Walker fell somewhere in the middle of those two.
Some players who could fit that billing are Kai Jones, Bones Hyland, Precious Achiuwa and Marvin Bagley III. Fans then spend the rest of the summer convincing themselves that signing could be an x-factor for the team next season.
The Lakers, then, head into next season with largely the same roster and new pieces presenting the same problems in the front court. Without a long-term, or even short-term, solution at center, the Lakers begin the Luka Era in a similar position to where they spent most of the LeBron Era: in a state of limbo, waiting to find the perfect solution.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.