At the top end of its rotation, the Los Angeles Lakers have an embarrassment of riches. Anthony Davis is well on his way to a sixth career All-NBA nod, LeBron James is playing at a level that shouldn't be possible at 40 years of age, and Austin Reaves is looking like the point guard of the future.
With the 2025 NBA trade deadline nearing, however, the Lakers can't afford to overlook how desperate the need is for depth in the playmaking department.
James and Reaves have combined to lead an intriguing offense, flush with improved off-ball action and a group of players ready to space the floor. When Los Angeles traded D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, however, they lost the best playmaker that the second unit had to offer.
Considering the bench has struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the 2024-25 season, the absence of a reliable playmaker has doomed Los Angeles to a top-heavy approach.
Thankfully, the trade deadline hasn't yet arrived. As such, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers can still execute a move that would go a long way toward alleviating pressure from Davis, James, and Reaves, thus creating more room for defensive consistency from the latter two and opening the door for an improved second unit.
Failing to address the need for a player who can come in off the bench and create offense for themselves and the players around them, however, could prove disastrous.
Lakers need a playmaker or shot creator to save the second unit
Los Angeles has a talented second unit, with Dorian Finney-Smith thriving in a 3-and-D role and rookie Dalton Knecht showcasing dynamic potential. Gabe Vincent is also less than two years removed from scoring 20-plus points on six different occasions during the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The Lakers rank No. 29 in the NBA in bench points per game, however, as well as No. 27 in field goal percentage among second unit players.
The primary reason for Los Angeles' issues in that regard is the simple fact that they lack a player who can come in and create consistent offense. Russell had the talent to do so, but never seemed to find his footing within JJ Redick's offense.
Los Angeles is now down to a cast of off-ball specialists and Vincent, who has a strong track record but has failed to rediscover the form that convinced Pelinka to sign him.
The Lakers' biggest need is on the defensive end of the floor, but it can't be overstated how much pressure is currently on the starting lineup. They're the only hope Los Angeles has of generating consistent offense at this stage, and there's no clear path toward an organic change.
For perspective: Los Angeles' starters rank No. 6 in the NBA in offensive rating, but the reserves place a distant 28th in that same area.
By trading for a player who can come in and energize the reserves with their shot creation and playmaking, the Lakers could help themselves on both ends of the floor. The obvious result would be an uptick in bench production, which could potentially enable the starters to pace themselves more on offense and conserve energy for defense.
It's difficult to emphasize a weakness that's admittedly lower on the list of priorities than improving the depth at center, but the Lakers are in dire need of a playmaker who can save the second unit.
Acquiring the right player could elevate the team to contender status.