The Los Angeles Lakers completely remade their roster around Luka Doncic this offseason, but Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Dalton Knecht still don’t fit. They dumped LeBron James and the rest of their starting five from Game 1 of their first-round playoff series win over the Rockets. Rob Pelinka and the front office jumped at the chance to build around Luka, but there is still work to do.
Building a title-contending roster around a superstar is a multi-year process. The Lakers were all-in around LeBron and Anthony Davis before the stunning trade for Doncic. That limited their assets and flexibility in the first year with Luka. The purple and gold had cap space this summer, and quickly found pieces that Doncic can maximize. Los Angeles ramped up the pressure on their superstar, but they aren’t quite done.
The Lakers have just one first-round draft pick swap and three second-rounders to trade. They want to add more pieces, but are struggling to make moves. Pelinka may need some time to make this happen. When looking for who is next to leave Los Angeles, fans should point to the players who don’t fit around Doncic.
Bronny James is an undersized guard with a questionable jumper
Bronny improved significantly in his second NBA season, but he failed to crack the rotation. The 6’2 guard isn’t a lead playmaker, so he has to space the floor and play stout perimeter defense. James shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range over 57 attempts last season, but he was just nine of 32 as a rookie. The sample isn’t big enough yet, but James has to prove he is a consistent and confident shooter.
The 21-year-old still has room to grow and should be focused on molding his game as a 3-and-D option to fit around Luka. That is his path to staying on the Lakers. He isn’t there yet, and the 2026-27 season could be Bronny’s last chance to make those leaps. The Lakers are clearly trying to make the pieces fit and want to contend immediately. It is now or never for James.
Jarred Vanderbilt can’t shoot
Vando is a stout defender, but his non-existent offensive game makes it nearly impossible to play him in the biggest games. Even with the Lakers' injuries, he still played just 10.9 minutes per game in the playoffs. Vanderbilt can’t shoot or make plays. LA doesn’t want to clog the lane by using him in the dunker spot. He just doesn’t fit with Luka wanting shooters and a big man around him.
The Lakers would have to attach draft capital to dump Vando’s contract. He is set to make $12.4 million this season and has a $13.2 million player option for the 2027-28 season. The 6’8 forward will likely opt in. Los Angeles may have to wait until next summer to dump his expiring contract.
The jumper isn’t coming, so Vando will never fit next to Luka. The Lakers need to find the right opportunity to move on.
Lakers need to trade Dalton Knecht
Knecht was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft, but his stock has plummeted since the rescinded Mark Williams trade. Defense was always a problem, but Knecht is now struggling to hit shots and make any impact.
The 25-year-old had a negative-0.2 value over replacement player (VORP) last season, and he doesn’t look like an NBA player. The best possible scenario for both sides is moving on. The Lakers may decline his team option for the 2027-28 season to make it easier to trade him. They would still have to attach draft capital to dump him after his abysmal second NBA season.
Jake LaRavia isn’t a playoff option
LaRavia is an energy player, but he struggles to make shots and play lockdown defense. The 6’7 wing shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range in 2025, but his percentage dropped to 32.1 percent with the Lakers. He is a slightly below-average shooter for his career and doesn’t have the elite athleticism for Luka to truly maximize.
It instantly became clear the Lakers couldn’t play LaRavia against the Thunder. They lost his 24 minutes by 23 points in the first two games before head coach JJ Redick eliminated him from the rotation. LA’s goal is to win a championship, and the 24-year-old can’t play in the biggest games.
The Los Angeles Lakers are building around Luka Doncic, and they still have work to do. Bronny James, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dalton Knecht still don’t fit next to number 77. LA will be looking to move on as they chase a championship.
This offseason was just the beginning. The Lakers will keep adding and are committed to winning with Luka. It will happen. They just need time to maximize their superstar.
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