The Los Angeles Lakers may be sitting pretty with a 19-7 record, but don’t let the win column fool you - this team has cracks in the foundation, and the biggest one might be on the defensive end. That vulnerability was on full display in their recent matchup against the Utah Jazz.
Despite walking away with a win, the Lakers gave up a staggering 78 points in the first half and 135 overall. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s not the kind of defensive effort that wins titles in June.
With the NBA trade season heating up, the Lakers are expected to be active - or at least exploring options - as they look to shore up that leaky defense. Around the league, rival executives are starting to connect the dots, and a few names are emerging as potential fits in purple and gold.
Brooklyn’s Terance Mann and Charlotte’s Josh Green have both been floated as intriguing targets. And it’s easy to see why.
These are two players who bring exactly what the Lakers need: perimeter defense, energy, and the ability to knock down shots from deep. Both have proven they can contribute to winning teams - Mann as a key piece on the Clippers’ 2021 Western Conference Finals squad, and Green as a defensive spark plug off the bench for a Mavericks team that came within three wins of a championship in 2024.
Mann, in particular, has shown he can rise to the occasion in big moments. He’s a career 37.1% shooter from three, and he’s had seasons where he’s eclipsed the 41% mark - a valuable trait for a Lakers team that’s sometimes struggled with consistent floor spacing.
Green isn’t far behind, hitting 38.0% of his threes over nearly 300 NBA games, with a career-best season north of 40%. These aren’t streaky shooters - they’re reliable floor spacers who can defend multiple positions.
And here’s the kicker: both are under contract for the long haul. Mann is locked in through the 2027-28 season, while Green is signed through 2026-27.
For a front office that’s juggling the present and the future, that kind of cost-controlled talent is gold. It gives the Lakers a chance to add real contributors without having to worry about an immediate extension or cap complications.
But it’s not just Mann and Green on the radar. Around the league, other names are being mentioned in connection to L.A., including Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Clippers.
Ellis is the kind of under-the-radar player who fits the mold of what the Lakers need - a tough, athletic defender with upside. Jones Jr., meanwhile, has already shown how effective he can be next to a ball-dominant star, thriving alongside Luka Dončić in Dallas before landing with the Clippers.
Given L.A.'s lack of draft capital and the Clippers’ current struggles, he’s a name to watch.
There’s also been chatter about Andrew Wiggins. The Lakers reportedly had internal discussions about the Warriors forward earlier this summer.
If they’re willing to sacrifice future cap space to win now, that conversation could pick up again. And if Chicago decides to part ways with Ayo Dosunmu - a player rival scouts believe would fit well in L.A.’s system - he could also enter the mix, though the Bulls are reportedly high on him and would likely demand a significant return.
The challenge for the Lakers? Their trade assets are limited.
They have one first-round and one second-round pick available to move, and there’s not a ton of league-wide excitement around their recent draft picks. That puts them in a bit of a tight spot.
They’re not exactly dealing from a position of strength, which means any move will have to be calculated and strategic.
Still, if the Lakers can land a player like Mann or Green, it would not only address a glaring defensive need but also inject some youth, shooting, and versatility into a roster that’s built to win now. And for Mann and Green, it would mean a chance to go from struggling teams in the East to a legitimate contender chasing banner No. 18.
The Lakers know their window with LeBron James and Anthony Davis won’t stay open forever. If they’re serious about making another deep playoff run, plugging those defensive holes has to be a priority - and trade season might be their best shot to do it.