The Los Angeles Lakers‘ offseason has seen them take some steps towards improving their roster strength. After addressing the problems plaguing their big man rotation, the Purple and Gold are now expected to shift their attention to their defensive needs.
As per The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Lakers’ current priority will be acquiring an elite defender. Woike mentioned this when he wrote:
“The Lakers have additional roster work to do. 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.”
The Lakers have made some efforts to improve their defensive backcourt rotation. Since drafting Adou Thiero with the No. 36 pick, the Lakers also picked up the team option on Jordan Goodwin for next season.
Although these are positive moves in the right direction, it isn’t enough when considering the kind of competition they will be facing in the Western Conference. With a need for depth in every slot, the Purple and Gold would do well by shifting their gaze to the free agency market to acquire talented defenders on team-friendly contracts.
By waiving Shake Milton, the Lakers will have a roster spot available to make this necessary upgrade. With this in mind, we explore some of the options available at the moment.
Gary Trent Jr.
Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. could be an interesting acquisition at this stage in free agency. Although Trent Jr. isn’t the best option from a defensive point of view, he is a fairly competent presence on the floor.
What Trent Jr. does bring to the table is his three-point shooting ability. Although his productivity fell in Milwaukee due to reduced playing time, the guard still recorded an average of 11.1 points on shooting splits of 43.1% from the field and 41.6% from three-point range. He also recorded an average of one steal a game, which could be promising.
The 26-year-old was a target for the Lakers last season but ended up joining the Bucks. While he doesn’t fully satisfy the Lakers’ need for a point-of-attack defender, he could still be a fairly capable pickup when considering his overall ability and skill set.
Josh Okogie
Josh Okogie is a more recent addition to the free agent market. After being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets, Okogie is expected to garner a lot of interest from teams looking to upgrade their defense.
The 26-year-old is viewed as one of the finest on-ball defenders in the league. Having developed a reputation as a defensive player during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Okogie has displayed the ability to be a capable point-of-attack defender.
Last season, the guard made use of his talents to be a menace on the defensive end. In the process, he recorded an average of 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
The 26-year-old has also shown himself to be a capable offensive player. Although he doesn’t boast elite two-way potential, he is a capable spot-up shooter, notching an average of 7.1 points on 34.8% shooting from three-point range.
As a versatile player at his size, he is capable of guarding multiple positions. This could be of benefit for the Lakers, as it gives them a lot of flexibility with deploying lineups.
Gary Payton II
Another tremendous defensive player who is available on the free agency market at the moment is Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. As an unrestricted free agent, even at the age of 32, the Lakers could benefit from signing him this offseason.
The guard has all the right tools to be a high-value addition for the Purple and Gold. His defensive instincts and unrelenting effort contribute to his makeup as a defensive threat. When additionally factoring in his athleticism, Payton brings a lot more to the table than just his defense.
While injuries have been a concern with the 32-year-old, he has managed to stay relatively available on the floor.. Last season, the guard notched an average of 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 57.4% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range.
Defensively, he recorded an average of 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. When factoring in his veteran experience and championship pedigree, he would undoubtedly be a valuable asset for the team as they prepare to mount a title charge.
Marcus Smart
The Washington Wizards could be in the process of buying out Marcus Smart. If the 31-year-old guard becomes available on the free agency market, the Lakers may not need to look any further in their search for an elite defender.
Smart is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. Having won the DPOY in the 2021-22 season, the guard established himself as a formidable on-ball defender with the Boston Celtics.
Although injuries have impacted his performances in recent seasons, the 31-year-old remains a reliable defender. With an average of 1.1 steals per game, Smart makes use of his intellect to make timely reads on defense, often forcing turnovers through smart defensive reads.
The Lakers would also benefit from his leadership and hustle. With a vocal leader coming off the bench, the second unit could be a lot more cohesive.
From an offensive point of view, Smart also provides some scoring, having averaged 9.0 points a game last season. When also considering his perimeter shooting ability, the guard could be a spot-up shooting threat when paired with some of the Lakers’ playmakers.
Davion Mitchell
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell could be an ideal target for the Lakers to acquire via trade. When considering that the guard signed a two-year deal with the team recently, the Purple and Gold could only trade for him after his trade restriction lifts in December. This delay and the investment Miami have made in the young guard could make it near impossible to acquire him. While this may be the case, Mitchell could be an ideal fit for the Lakers’ needs.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Davion Mitchell
Miami Heat Receive: Gabe Vincent, 2032 second-round pick
The addition of Mitchell could be vital for the Purple and Gold, depending on what position they are in at that point in the season. As a point-of-attack defender, the young guard has showcased tremendous ability.
Having earned the nickname “Off-Night” for his ability to force bad games out of the players he’s guarding, Mitchell backs it up with his performances. With an average of 1.4 steals per game, the 26-year-old combines hustle with tactical smarts to outplay his defensive assignments.
Last season, the young guard also showed enough capability as a playmaker, with an average of 7.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. While considering that he would be coming off the bench, these are numbers that the Purple and Gold would be satisfied with.
The Lakers Are Far From Being Contenders
The Lakers now appear more balanced on paper with the addition of players like Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. But considering the degree of competition in the West next season, the Purple and Gold are far from being considered title contenders.
While there is a need to make the appropriate moves to boost their overall roster strength, the team’s long-term focus on 2027 free agency may limit their willingness to take on new contracts. When considering how much this restricts their options, it is possible that the Lakers don’t make any more significant moves.
This would also have an impact on the team’s future with LeBron James. Although recent rumblings have suggested that the superstar will be with the team for training camp, the prospects aren’t great from a championship perspective.
