As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to tip off the unofficial second half of their season following All-Star Weekend, there’s plenty to like about where they stand - but also plenty to watch. They're in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture, but with just a two-game cushion above the play-in line, the margin for error is razor-thin. Every possession, every rotation, every defensive switch from here on out matters.
The trade deadline came and went with only a minor shakeup. The Lakers sent Gabe Vincent to Atlanta and brought in Luke Kennard, a proven floor-spacer who can knock down the three at a high clip. While Kennard adds some much-needed shooting, the move didn’t address one of the team’s more glaring issues: defensive versatility.
That’s where the conversation is already shifting - toward the summer, when the Lakers will have a chance to retool their roster with a more balanced approach. According to league sources, the front office has already started internal discussions about targeting free agents who can bring length on defense while still being able to stretch the floor - the classic three-and-D archetype that’s become essential in today’s NBA.
“They need to get as many defenders with length that can knock down a shot as possible,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. That’s not just a vague wish list - it’s a blueprint for how the Lakers want to build around their core moving forward.
Names reportedly on their radar include Andrew Wiggins and Tari Eason, both unrestricted free agents who check the boxes for length, athleticism, and defensive upside. Wiggins, in particular, has proven he can thrive in high-leverage playoff situations, while Eason brings the kind of energy and switchability that could be a major asset off the bench or in small-ball lineups.
Other potential targets include Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes, and Dean Wade - all players who, while different in style, fit the mold of two-way contributors who can hold their own defensively and hit open looks.
The Lakers have also reportedly had internal conversations about Peyton Watson, a restricted free agent coming off a breakout season in Denver. Watson’s stock has risen considerably this year, and while the Nuggets are expected to try and keep him, their financial constraints could open the door for a savvy offer sheet from a team like L.A.
This isn’t the first time the Lakers have gone hunting for two-way wings. Last summer, they were in the mix for Dorian Finney-Smith, a proven 3-and-D presence, but he ultimately landed in Houston. That miss still stings a bit, especially considering the current roster makeup.
Right now, the Lakers don’t have a single player who can consistently impact the game on both ends of the floor. That lack of balance was a problem in last year’s postseason and could become a major storyline again if the team doesn’t find a way to tighten things up defensively while maintaining offensive spacing.
With the second half of the season about to begin, the Lakers’ next test comes Friday night against the Clippers - a crosstown showdown that always brings the energy. But beyond that, the front office will be keeping one eye on the court and another on the horizon.
Because for this team to make a real run - not just into the playoffs, but deep into May and possibly June - they’ll need more than just LeBron and AD playing hero ball. They’ll need wings who can defend, shoot, and keep the floor balanced.
That’s the formula. Now it’s about finding the right pieces to make it work.