The Lakers are still leaving the door open on one more roster move, and Dwight Powell has emerged as the clearest name in the mix.
After his first mini-camp with his new teammates, Luka Doncic is said to be feeling good about where things are headed, even if there’s plenty of work still ahead before the 2026-27 campaign begins. The mood is positive. The roster, though, may not be finished.
According to Khobi Price, Powell stands out as the best remaining option in free agency for Los Angeles. “The most significant option for the Lakers could be Dwight Powell, the 6-10, 35-year-old big man who was teammates with Doncic for 6 ½ seasons in Dallas,” wrote Khobi Price. “Notably, Powell has played the most games as a teammate alongside Doncic (389) among the 98 players Doncic has played alongside in his eight-year NBA career.”
That connection matters, especially for a Lakers team trying to make any late addition as seamless as possible. Powell isn’t the kind of move that changes the ceiling of the roster, but he does check a lot of boxes. He’s a 6-foot-10 center with 12 years in the league, and his career numbers - 6.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks per game on 60.6% shooting - point to a steady, functional backup big.
The bigger issue is roster math. Los Angeles already has 16 players, so bringing in Powell would require creating space.
That could mean cutting someone such as Dalton Knecht or Bronny James, or it could come through a trade involving Jaden Hardy and/or Jake LaRavia in exchange for picks. The Lakers have been looking at another move for some time, but with limited assets available, the free agent market is where they’re most likely to find a minimum-salary fit.
From a basketball standpoint, Powell makes sense. The Lakers have already brought in Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney to shore up the frontcourt after losing Anthony Davis, but the group could still be thin if injury or a setback hits one of those bigs. Powell would not be asked to carry a heavy load, yet his depth, versatility and defensive approach would give the rotation another reliable option.
There’s also the obvious Luka layer. Powell spent 6 ½ seasons with Doncic in Dallas, and that kind of familiarity can smooth out the transition in a hurry. It’s one less thing the Lakers would have to figure out.
For now, though, nothing is locked in. Rob Pelinka and the front office have already done plenty of reshaping, and there’s a chance they simply sit tight and evaluate what they have before making another call. Powell is in the conversation, and he may be the strongest one left on the board, but Los Angeles still has a decision to make.
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