The Los Angeles Lakers have made sweeping changes to the roster this summer, replacing LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard with Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton.
While most of their cap space is taken up in the top three alone, the Lakers are still looking to make another move this free agency cycle. This time, instead of a shooter or big man, GM Rob Pelinka plans to add a wing defender on a veteran minimum deal.
“The next piece of business for the Lakers is finding help in the form of a wing defender,” reported Dan Woike on X. “Lakers have been used as a successful launching pad for players on min deals in the past and will be making that pitch.”
The loss of LeBron has left a massive hole at the forward spot, which is currently filled by LaRavia, Vanderbilt, and Mamukelashvili, who are more effective in backup roles. That’s why the Lakers intend to pursue another veteran forward this summer, but who they can get for such a bargain remains to be seen.
Arguably the best player for this spot is Matisse Thybulle, who averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 43.3% shooting last season (39.8% shooting from three). He’s only played 45 games over the last two seasons, which is why his market value is so low, but he brings tremendous upside as a 3-and-D forward with seven years of experience.
Zaire Williams is another potential option for the Lakers. While he may be more unknown than other targets, he could make an ideal (and affordable) addition to the roster. In 56 games in 2025-26, the 6’9″ wing averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 42.5% shooting from the field and 34.3% shooting from three.
Finally, there’s Nicolas Batum. While he’s not particularly known for his defense, he’s still someone who could give valuable minutes at the forward spot. At 37, he’d bring maturity and championship experience to the locker room. This past season, in 74 games, he averaged 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 40.3% shooting and 40.4% shooting from three.
It’s worth noting that the Lakers still have ways to create more cap space. If they waive and stretch Vanderbilt, for instance, they can free up $7 million in cap to potentially sign a player like Jonathan Kuminga. For now, however, the Lakers seem to prefer a more modest shake-up, and it’s the safest option after spending nearly all their assets.
Fortunately, with Walker Kessler acquired, the Lakers successfully completed their most important task, but the work has only just begun. Between now and opening night, the Lakers will begin building their chemistry and setting their identity in this post-LeBron era. While some critics have their doubts, Pelinka has bet everything on this core working out, and he cannot afford to be wrong.
At this point, the Lakers have made just about every move they can, and they are in no rush to fill their final roster spot. Even so, if they play their cards right, they could still land a difference-making player to maximize their depth and flexibility ahead of the 2026-27 season.
