The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to sign Austin Reaves to a new deal this summer. Recent buzz also points strongly to the return of LeBron James. And so, it appears LA's Big 3 may very well be running it back in 2026-27. But Luka Doncic, Bron, and AR aren't enough.
The Western Conference elite is too strong, its rosters too deep. The Lakers absolutely must add valuable depth pieces around their star trio to seriously compete next season. Luke Kennard will probably be one of those guys. But as NBA analyst Jovan Buha pointed out on Friday, the Lakers are actually two quality starters short of being on the level of an OKC Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
Lakers need two new starters to become true contenders in 2026-27
"Some of the guys that (the Lakers) started this season would not be starting for the other contenders in the league," Buha said while appearing as a guest on the Run It Back pod. "(And) some of the guys in their rotation wouldn't be in the rotation for other top teams across the NBA."
Buha then suggested that the Lakers go after a big, 3-and-D wing to slot into the starting lineup alongside the Big 3, pushing Marcus Smart into a bench role.
Buha also pointed to the center position as an area to upgrade, with Deandre Ayton having logged an inconsistent season that placed him in the line of critical fire from the media, Lakers fans, and head coach JJ Redick. Interestingly, Buha suggested that Ayton's performance against the Houston Rockets in the first round might largely influence how LA proceeds with his fate this summer.
Potential Lakers trade targets: Herbert Jones, Jarrett Allen
Herb Jones and his workable $14.8 million cap hit for 2026-27 continue to make sense for the Lakers as a trade target. He's the type of lengthy wing that Buha was describing, but then again, Jones may not be a good enough outside shooter for LA's needs. After shooting 41.8% from three in 2024-25, Jones has shot below 31% from downtown in each of the last two seasons for the New Orleans Pelicans.
As for potential targets at the center position, the Lakers should keep an eye on how the Cleveland Cavaliers do in the postseason. If Cleveland bows out early, it may be looking to completely re-tool this summer, which could result in Jarrett Allen becoming available.
Allen's $28 million owed in 2026-27 isn't a small figure, but he's a good enough center to convince the Lakers' front office that sacrificing much of their newfound cap flexibility to lock up Allen's services through 2028-29 would be worthwhile.
Allen would be an epic lob partner for Doncic. He's twice the player Ayton is and would raise the Lakers' floor from the moment he sets foot in Los Angeles. A starting lineup of Doncic, Reaves, James, Jones, and Allen -- who says no?
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