For the most part, the Los Angeles Lakers' offseason moves are over. Agreeing to sign Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract solidified that. The Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron, so they can't sign another free agent, not without making a trade first.
Los Angeles will be a contender next season, even after a relatively "quiet" offseason. Luka Doncic and LeBron James are on the roster. Deandre Ayton could surprise a lot of people, returning to the form he was in with the Suns when they reached their peak. Smart is a gritty player.
The Lakers are fine as currently constructed, but if injuries happen (and they have injury-prone players on the roster), things could get hairy. That situation could prompt LA to make a midseason trade, but that will depend on who is available and the team's current position.
Smart gives the Lakers 14 players on standard contracts, leaving the 15th spot open. Given Los Angeles' financial positioning, that spot will likely remain open (barring a trade).
If someone gets hurt, the Lakers won't be able to sign a replacement to fill their spot, at least not until midway through the season, due to financial constraints. It's worth repeating that LA doesn't have the depth to keep it afloat if injuries start up.
Lakers could find themselves in a tough position once the season starts
The focus of Los Angeles' offseason is maintaining future financial flexibility (subscription required), a strategy that presented itself after Nico Harrison gifted Luka Doncic to the Lakers. There is no pressure to win a title with LeBron before LA is left scrambling without him, so it's not as if the 2025-26 season is all-or-nothing.
It would be unfortunate for a solid start to the season to be derailed because of an injury, leaving the Lakers without the flexibility to sign a veteran to boost their depth.
The hope is that there will be no major injuries, and that LA will reclaim some of the magic it had after the Luka trade, making what could be the final playoff run with LeBron. How fitting would it be for his time with the Lakers (maybe in the NBA) to end with a championship?
Unfortunately, the NBA isn't a dream world (minus wishing Luka would magically end up in LA). A lot could go right for the Lakers this season, but a lot could go wrong, too.