The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of stops in the 2026-27 season. Too many times this past season, the purple and gold were giving easy runs to the rim, and when you have Deandre Ayton in the middle, that can't happen. Defense is never going to your calling card when you have a starting backcourt of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, but that's why you surround them with gritty stoppers.
While some fans have pointed to Tari Eason as an ideal point-of-attack defender for LA to target this summer, I'm looking at a different Houston Rockets wing: Josh Okogie.
In his eight years of NBA experience, Okogie has always been a gritty, tough, scrappy wing who plays much larger than his 6-foot-4 listed height. That made his fit with the Rockets seamless.
When you look at the culture Houston has built with Ime Udoka at the helm, they are all about being physical, doing the little things, and defending—three things this Lakers team lacks. Why not use free agency to steal one of their most impactful pieces from last season, at an affordable price?
Lakers need tough players like Josh Okogie
After spending the last two years playing just 100 games, last offseason looked like it could bring an end to the former top-20 pick's NBA career. That was until the Rockets rang his phone and brought him in on a vet minimum contract.
Signing with the Rockets may have changed his career. With Fred VanVleet missing the whole season, he became a huge part of their rotation.
Okogie appeared in 78 games, 32 of which he started. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 stocks (steals + blocks) per game while shooting 38.5 percent from deep.
He gave Udoka so many options when it comes to different lineups, as even though he's a smaller wing, Okogie could play the two through four. Despite being undersized, Okogie uses his frame well to body up thinner offensive players, creating an advantage when going for steals by pushing opponents off their spots and even off the ball.
Like Marcus Smart, Okogie is always happy to dive for loose balls and make the extra plays, even if it means putting his body on the line. The idea of having one of Okogie, Smart, or both come in and muck things up defensively for the second unit is definitely something to be excited about.
With both LeBron James and Reaves expected to be unrestricted free agents, plus the Lakers having other needs like the center spot to address, Okogie is a great option this summer. Not only can he be a defensive stopper and relatively reliable shooter, but he shouldn't be crazy expensive, given he only played 17.4 minutes per game and isn't a flashy big name.
If Rob Pelinka is serious about building this team up to a championship caliber, getting quality defensive stoppers around Doncic is key. When looking at the free agent pool this summer, very few players stand out more on that end of the ball than Okogie.
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