The Lakers still have unfinished business in the frontcourt, and that’s where P.J. Washington has emerged as a possible answer.
Los Angeles has spent the offseason reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but one obvious hole remains: starting power forward. That spot is still unsettled, and it’s become one of the biggest questions hanging over the team as it tries to push itself into title contention after LeBron James left in free agency.
Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk put it plainly: “Then, there is the power forward position. This is the last domino among the starting lineup that really does not have full clarity just yet. There are certainly players internally, and even externally, who could fill the vacancy,"
The Lakers spent more than two months chasing Jonathan Kuminga for that role, but the 23-year-old NBA champion ended up elsewhere. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, “Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,”
With Kuminga off the board, Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters suggested a trade path that would send Jarred Vanderbilt to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal for Washington. Peters noted that Washington is signed with Dallas through the 2029-30 season, and that his $19.8 million salary next year could make things tricky for the Lakers. Still, Peters wrote that Vanderbilt could be included to help make the money work.
“The 28-year-old is coming off a solid season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and a steal per game. Washington plays a similar role to Kuminga as a versatile forward, but he's arguably a better option, albeit for a higher price,” Peters wrote.
For the Lakers, Washington would give them a more established piece than the one they just missed out on. He also has a built-in connection with Doncic as a former teammate, which could make the fit smoother right away. With Doncic controlling the offense, Washington would give Los Angeles another athletic threat near the rim and a frontcourt piece with real versatility.
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