The Los Angeles Lakers' roster is looking very solid so far in 2026-27, but this team still needs two more player types in its rotation to become a true contender: a backup center and one more big wing.
The "big" quality of the needed wing is vital for the Lakers' defensive purposes. While Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams have been tremendous for the Lakers, neither player is a big, strong wing by NBA standards. As such, players like Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, or Paolo Banchero might give the Lakers extra trouble. You can even add new Lakers nemesis Yaxel Lendeborg to that list.
The Lakers could really use Mavericks wing P.J. Washington right now
At 230 pounds with a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan that defies his 6-foot-7 height, Washington is just the type of big wing who could give the Lakers what they're missing. Not only can Washington hold his own physically with the Bancheros and Lendeborgs of the NBA, but he can also knock down 3s, and he's played with Luka Doncic before on an NBA Finals team.
There's just one small problem with the Lakers potentially acquiring Washington -- the Dallas Mavericks have no reason to trade Washington. As discussed recently by NBA analysts Sam Vecenie and Jovan Buha on Vecenie's Game Theory podcast, the Mavs are a potential playoff team. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving look like two All-Stars. Why would Dallas want to trade an important role player in Washington, to a Western Conference rival, no less?
By the way, even if the Mavs were for some reason interested in moving Washington to LA, the Lakers would struggle to find a salary-matching deal (Washington is earning $19.8 million this year). It's clear that Washington to the Lakers simply isn't going to happen. That doesn't mean the Lakers can't use Washington as a helpful template, however.
The Lakers should use P.J. Washington as a model for their next forward acquisition
Players like Washington don't grow on trees, nor are they necessarily cheap. The Lakers' front office will need to flex its player evaluation muscles to find a player on the rise who can grow into a Washington-type, and fast. That's the only feasible path for LA, considering a Washington equivalent in the now is probably too expensive, anyway.
What the Lakers need to do is look around the league and identify players who they think could become P.J. Washington-esque in their system, boosted by the contagious greatness of Doncic. Finding that player in the next year or two, as well as a backup center, are non-negotiables if this team wants to contend.
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