The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason is yet to officially begin with the ongoing NBA playoffs, and yet the drama is already in full swing. Rumors have swirled around the future of LeBron James and what the star might choose to do this offseason. Austin Reaves has been pointed to as a potential trade target due to the scorer's uncertain future. Despite all of this, nothing has changed for the Lakers; the franchise must still make the move it has needed ever since landing Luka Dončić.
A splashy Reaves trade or LeBron drama isn't what this team has needed since the trade that shocked the league. The addition of Luka opened up a longer championship window and shed the Lakers of every playable option the team had at center. Alex Len was unemployed deep into the NBA season for a reason, and Jaxson Hayes simply isn't playable when the games matter most. Any other news or suggestions are simply distractions from the team's glaring need.
Only Splashy Offseason Moves Los Angeles Must Consider are at the Center Position
Whether it is reuniting Luka with former teammate Daniel Gafford or looking to sign former Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, there are a number of potential improvements. Laker fans shouldn't expect a single move at the position either. After losing Anthony Davis in the blockbuster trade, the team will also lose Len and Hayes in free agency.
It would be a surprise to see either player return with how the team fared down the stretch of the season. With this in mind, the expectation should be to make at least two notable additions at center. This means looking at moves in both the free agent and trade markets.
Far too often, the Los Angeles front office can't help but get in its own way. Trading Austin Reaves or looking at parting ways with LeBron would be doing exactly that. What this team needs was exposed in their first-round playoff loss, and that hasn't changed in these last weeks of the postseason.
The Lakers' entire offseason needs to be based around bringing in capable defenders and size to offset Luka's defense and give the 2025-26 Lakers a real shot at a deep playoff run.