The Los Angeles Lakers are approaching training camp with an all but identical roster to the team that won 47 games in 2023-24. It's been the topic of countless debates about how legitimate the Lakers' championship aspirations are considering they lost in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The core has been strong when healthy, however, and it's possible that one late offseason move could elevate Los Angeles to true contender status.
It's an optimistic take, of course, but the Lakers managed to reach the Conference Finals as recently as 2022-23. With this in mind, it stands to reason that the impact of injuries and questionable coaching decisions has left the door open for drastic improvement under different circumstances—and one writer seems to have identified the missing piece to complete that puzzle.
In an article published by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Lakers were identified as the ideal landing spot for free agent forward Cedi Osman.
"Remove the marquee names from that list, and you're still looking at a couple of useful NBA players. Osman is worth a roster spot for rotations in need of shot-making from the wing positions. Enter the Los Angeles Lakers."
It's an interesting thought to consider, especially at the low-risk cost of a minimum contract.
Cedi Osman to the Lakers would fill a potential void
One of the most intriguing aspects of Osman's potential fit is that he has history with Lakers superstar LeBron James. He played alongside the four-time NBA MVP in 2017-18 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, albeit in a limited bench role during his rookie season.
By adding Osman late in the offseason, the Lakers would be bringing in a wing who knows what it's like to practice and play up to the standard that James sets.
That could be beneficial to the in-game success the Lakers hope to achieve. Even beyond the relationship the two share, it's intriguing to consider Osman for the perhaps unenviable role of lone free agency acquisition.
A consistently efficient shooter who has proven capable of providing double-digit scoring numbers in limited playing time, Osman could help add essential depth to the second unit.
The 29-year-old boasts career averages of 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 three-point field goals made in just 22.7 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Coming off of a season in which he shot a career-best 38.9 percent from beyond the arc, the career 35.7 percent three-point shooter could occupy an essential offensive role.
Osman is capable of creating for himself and others within the framework of the offense, but his primary strength at this stage of his career is his off-ball play. In 2023-24, he shot 41.0 percent on catch-and-shoot three-point field goals.
A floor-spacer who can provide depth at forward in case of an injury, the Lakers finding a way to add Osman is an idea with undeniable merit.