Even on a bad team, Jonas Valanciunas looks like answer to Lakers' biggest issues

The Los Angeles Lakers can't buy a bucket when the second unit is on the court. It's a dominant headline that's become increasingly more difficult to ignore as Los Angeles plays through the highs and lows of having a thin, but star-studded roster.

Thankfully, as the Lakers look for trade options, the date on which they'll be able to to acquire a perfect fit is rapidly approaching.

Los Angeles' second unit currently ranks No. 29 in offensive rating and No. 30 in points per game. It's been the most devastating flaw of the early season, as the MVP-caliber play of Anthony Davis and the elite quality displayed by the starting lineup has been sabotaged by the lack of ideal depth.

One of the primary reasons for the Lakers' current shortcomings is the inability to trust a reserve to consistently provide scoring off the bench.

Coinciding with that issue is the simple fact that Los Angeles lacks the "big bruising five-man" that head coach JJ Redick has been searching for. That's unfortunately reared its head in a way that's enabled opponents to continue to exploit the Lakers' inability to keep teams off the offensive glass.

Thankfully, there's a trade option whom the Lakers would immensely benefit from targeting: Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas.

Jonas Valanciunas can resolve a number of Lakers issues

Valanciunas, 32, surprisingly signed with the Wizards on a three-year, $30,295,000 contract during the 2024 offseason. He'll be eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, and the Lakers would be wise to at least kick the tires on a potential deal.

Valanciunas may not see as many minutes as he did during his athletic prime, but he remains one of the most productive players at his position.

In 2024-25, Valanciunas is averaging 12.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the field. It's early enough that statistics must be taken with a grain of salt, but there's ample reason to believe that he'll sustain this production.

Valanciunas' current averages translate to 22.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per 36 minutes—not terribly far from the 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per 36 minutes he averaged in 2023-24.

In Los Angeles, Valanciunas would give the Lakers the consistent scoring option off the bench that they desperately need. He's someone they can dump the ball off to in the post and trust to score in isolation—as evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 10 in the NBA in points via post-ups in 2024-25, and finished fifth in 2023-24.

Valanciunas is also a capable shooter with the range to keep an opposing defense honest and the pick and roll finishing ability to provide options for playmakers to utilize.

Furthermore, Valanciunas is a 265-pound force on the low block who can help the Lakers address their debilitating inability to keep strong bigs off the glass. On the other end, he can help create second chances without having the drawback of offensive limitations.

The asking price will determine the validity of this potential endeavor, but if the Lakers are looking to address multiple flaws in one fell swoop, then Valanciunas must be on the radar.