The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly pursuing their options on the trade front as they look to address the need for a starting forward. Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, and Austin Reaves project to share the perimeter, while Walker Kessler can be written in with permanent marker as the starting center after signing a four-year, $130 million contract.
Though the absence of an ideal fifth player easily justifies the Lakers' interest in a potential trade, the reason they should remain patient is simple: They don't yet know how this team will actually play or coexist.
Los Angeles' options at the 4 are admittedly limited. The likes of Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams are all solid options, but they also have flaws that haven't inspired the greatest sense of optimism in their ability to complete the proverbial puzzle.
As such, Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported that Los Angeles is actively pursuing trades for a potential starting forward.
"Lakers trading for a starter: I think they're exploring that, they're going to try to do that whether it's now or at some point ahead of the trade deadline."
Though it's understandable and even admirable for Los Angeles to take the initiative, it would behoove Rob Pelinka and company to learn how the current pieces fit before completing a trade for another new player.
Lakers need a 4, but they don't yet know how the other pieces fit
There's ample reason for optimism, as each of the Lakers' offseason acquisitions seem to fit Doncic's preferred style of play. In many ways, the new-look Los Angeles roster is reminiscent of the 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks side that Doncic led to the NBA Finals.
With Reaves in the Kyrie Irving role, Kessler as the Daniel Gafford type of rim protector, and a cast of shooters and athletes flanking the leading trio, Los Angeles has embraced a proven model.
In saying that, just because a roster makeup has worked in the past doesn't mean that it will work in the present. Furthermore, these are different players from who the Mavericks had in 2023-24. As such, there's no telling who will live up to their potential and who will fall short.
With this in mind, the Lakers' best path forward is to remain patient, start who they can at the 4 for the time being, and wait until at least Dec. 15 to pursue a trade for an upgrade at forward.
Dec. 15 is the date when a strong majority of the players who signed with new teams in free agency will become eligible to be traded. In other words: Dec. 15 is when the Lakers will have a far wider net to cast in regard to finding a player who they'll likely need to give up significant assets to acquire.
A starting-caliber forward who offers two-way value simply won't be a low-cost target—and Los Angeles is painfully short on trade assets.
Lakers' lack of assets limits ability to pivot if trade doesn't work out
Even if they somehow avoid paying a hefty price, rushing into the decision and parting with any outgoing assets would be ill-advised. Los Angeles needs to know how their offseason acquisitions fit in the rotation, with some likely to overperform and others potentially falling short of expectations.
Adding another player to the mix who may or may not fit with the current core before knowing how the other newcomers work in JJ Redick's system could be tantamount to gambling the season away.
Dramatic as that sounds, the Lakers aren't exactly swimming in coveted trade assets. They have just three first-round draft picks and three second-round selections between 2027 and 2032, and most of their desirable talent just signed or re-signed with them this summer.
As such, any trade they make would likely inhibit their ability to make meaningful moves at a future point in the 2026-27 regular season.
Play that scenario out. Suppose the Lakers acquire a seemingly ideal starter before the start of the 2026-27 campaign. What happens if they or any other player on the roster in a key spot underperforms? How would Los Angeles overcome that development with its scarce few trade assets depleted and its need for starting-caliber quality on both ends of the floor at the 4?
Perhaps there is an answer, but with the Lakers already having two new starters and as many as nine new players, waiting to see how the new pieces fit would be the best way to approach a trade for more help.
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