Magic Johnson is famous to Los Angeles Lakers fans for being able to state the obvious. When discussing the anticipated offseason plans for the Lakers, the legendary point guard delivered as much.
”Rob Pelinka gotta improve the roster,” Johnson said on an episode of ESPN’s Get Up. “We need a big man, and hopefully we’ll be able to get a big man during this offseason. I think we must improve the bench as well.”
The all-time great also brought up the idea that these 2024-25 Lakers were ‘too slow,’ highlighting the need for athleticism. Defense was another area of needed improvement for Johnson.
Magic is knocking down the wishlist items one by one for the Lakers. The Lakers legend was hitting all the necessary components in his appearance on ESPN. Now, it’s time for Pelinka to do his part and deliver on those desirables.
Lakers need to establish pecking order for offseason targets
It should be understandable just how much work there is to be done when it comes to filling the holes on the roster. A championship team led by Luka Doncic will not just materialize this offseason without some serious maneuvering during the summer.
Understanding how the offseason priorities list looks for the Lakers is a key part of the equation. A pecking order needs to be put into place.
To Johnson’s comments, and the pleas of Lakers fans everywhere, acquiring a starting center is the most important goal for the 2025 offseason. The names should be abundant, and Pelinka needs to be proactive.
One could easily make the argument that backup center is the second-most important need for the Lakers. 48 minutes of quality frontcourt play is a must after acquiring Doncic and seeing how brutal it was navigating life with just Jaxson Hayes in the mix down low.
From there, a debate can be had over what comes next for the Lakers. Some will argue that the forward spot in the starting lineup needs to be overhauled in favor of a better fit next to Doncic and LeBron James.
For those who are firm believers in Rui Hachimura, a need for a strong perimeter stopper is still obvious. Navigating the options in free agency can possibly fill this need for the team.
Shooting, defense, and depth are all aspects that could use a lift when adding to the offseason shopping list. Trying to find those players at a discount will not be easy. The sell of championship glory should be appealing enough to a handful that help push the Lakers in the right direction.