The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to an endlessly growing list of players on the trade front. From former players they could soon reunite with to respected veterans who fill needs, and up-and-comers with untapped potential, the Lakers are running the proverbial gamut.
While each individual player offers something of significance, Los Angeles must not lose sight of the specifics of what it needs just because of the intrigue the athlete provides.
The Lakers are currently sitting above .500, which has been a theme throughout the 2024-25 season. Anthony Davis is giving them an MVP-caliber campaign, Dalton Knecht has looked the part of a Rookie of the Year candidate, and JJ Redick has been praised for his modern tactics.
Unfortunately, the Lakers' flaws have become more difficult to overlook with every passing week, thus resulting in the endless flow of trade rumors.
Many of the players the Lakers have been linked to possess skill sets that would help address the current flaws. Unfortunately, there are also rumored targets whose general talent may exceed the actual value they'd provide based on what's needed most.
With this in mind, a simple question arises: What are the three biggest issues the Lakers must address via the trade market?
1. Bench Scoring
One of the biggest issues plaguing the Lakers in 2024-25 has been the general inability to generate offense from the second unit. D'Angelo Russell has certainly helped in that regard, but it's been a continuous challenge for Los Angeles to find consistency from the reserves.
If the Lakers are going to execute a trade ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline, they must factor in the importance of creating consistent offense when the starters are off the court.
Los Angeles' bench players currently rank No. 28 in offensive rating and No. 29 in points per game. Those rankings are accurate depictions of how mightily the Lakers have struggled to put up points when the starters are off the court.
Thankfully, there are a number of productive scoring options to consider on the trade front who could be brought in to help alleviate pressure from the starters.
Jonas Valanciunas could start alongside Davis, but he's also a viable option to become the team's sixth man and a steady source of interior offense. The same can be said for Collin Sexton, who has averaged 18.1 points per game on .486/.400/.867 shooting over the past two seasons.
There's an obvious argument for both players starting, but even if they did, shifting a proven scoring threat in the current starting lineup to the second unit could prove advantageous nonetheless.
2. Interior Depth
The Lakers have more issues on defense than any one trade is likely to resolve. One of the biggest problems facing Los Angeles, however, is the simple fact that they can't seem to win the defensive battle even when they force a missed shot.
If the Lakers are going to improve on defense, then they'll need to bring in a player who can help keep the opposition off of the offensive glass.
Thus far in 2024-25, Los Angeles is allowing the third-most second-chance points in the NBA. That doesn't necessarily cancel out their other flaws on defense, but the consistent inability to limit offensive rebounds has been a disastrous flaw.
It's also a clear representation of the Lakers' well-documented issue with defending bigs who can throw their weight around inside.
By adding an interior player who has the strength and prowess to limit second chances, the Lakers would instantly improve on defense. Ideally, that player would also be able to go head-to-head with the top post players in the NBA and make scoring far more difficult than it currently is.
By limiting second chances and adding a big who has the strength to defend the post, the Lakers would go a long way toward improving their near-league-worst defense.
3. Perimeter Defense
The unfortunate truth in Los Angeles is that addressing the first and second points would still leave the biggest flaw on the table. It's fair to question why a trade is necessary when professionals should find it within themselves to defend, but the Lakers can't avoid their harsh reality.
The Lakers are No. 24 in the NBA in defensive rating and there's no bigger reason for that failure than the perimeter players' horrendous play on defense.
Being without Jarred Vanderbilt for the entire 2024-25 season hasn't helped, but the Lakers can't sit around and wait for him to get healthy. They rank No. 20 in opponent three-point field goal percentage and No. 27 in points allowed in the paint, and the perimeter play has been the biggest culprit.
Anthony Davis has been the Lakers' first, second, and last line of defense, often having to switch onto perimeter players and still track back to protect the rim.
Adding a quality big to play alongside Davis would help, but the Lakers need perimeter players who are willing to give a consistent effort on defense. Rumored trade targets such as Bruce Brown Jr, Dorian Finey-Smith, and Jerami Grant certainly fit the bill.
The Lakers need a culture change. Perhaps bringing in a new player whose specialty is on-ball defense would be the spark they need to ignite their push for improvement.