The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for upgrades at multiple positions. It's the inevitable outcome for a team that opted to forego the opportunity to add new talent via free agency, instead prioritizing the chances that may exist via trade.
As the holidays roll around and an essential Dec. 15 deadline passes, the door has officially swung open for the Lakers to make a splash before Christmas.
With Dec. 15 in the rearview, the Lakers are able to trade for almost any rostered player. Some restrictions remain in place, but 85 of the players who signed new contracts during the 2024 offseason are now eligible to be traded.
That includes a player whom the Lakers have been linked to for quite some time and several others who may be worth considering.
Los Angeles' search will range beyond those who signed new contracts in 2024. In many instances, players who are eligible for free agency in 2025 will be reasonable targets, thus making Rob Pelinka's job one with a clear directive.
In the coming weeks, Pelinka must find the ultimate holiday gift for a roster that's desperate for an infusion of talent.
1. Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets
There's no way around it: The Lakers are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. Despite the presence of five-time All-Defense honoree Anthony Davis, Los Angeles is giving up 115.5 points per 100 possessions, which ranks No. 24 in the NBA.
Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith should thus be a top target for Pelinka as a 3-and-D specialist who can help directly address the Lakers' primary flaw.
Finney-Smith, 31, has carved out a nine-year NBA career by epitomizing versatility. He has the ability to make plays on offense both with and without the ball, can defend multiple positions, and is currently shooting 44.8 percen from beyond the arc.
Finney-Smith is more of an off-ball player offensively, but his athleticism, length, and two-way versatility make him a perfect fit in JJ Redick's system.
Finney-Smith could start for the Lakers, thus creating a big lineup alongside Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. His defensive consistency would be a welcome addition to a team that's allowing opponents to shoot 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.
At $14,924,167 with a $15,378,480 player option for the 2025-26 season, Finney-Smith is a cost-efficient answer to the Lakers' defensive issues.
2. Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
While Finney-Smith would address the need for wing defense, the Lakers' issue with preventing guards from creating consistent penetration would likely persist. Reaves has failed to estabilsh himself as a consistent defender and Max Christie has been shuffled in and out of the starting lineup.
In Marcus Smart, the Lakers would be getting a former Defensive Player of the Year whose ability and willingness to pick up a team's top perimeter scorer could prove invaluable.
Smart's intensity on defense would bring something to the Lakers that simply isn't currently present. He plays a physical brand of basketball, long displaying the tendency to give scorers as little space as possible and fight over screens when working off-ball.
It's fair to question if Smart can still play at an All-Defense level, but his arrival could spark the type of culture change that's become nothing short of essential.
Smart's offensive game has long been enigmatic, as he can shoot the lights out when he's hot and go on extensive cold streaks when he isn't. The value he'd provide on defense would be worth the trade-off, however, as he could instantly slot in as a starter next to Reaves and change the dynamic of the Lakers' backcourt.
Considering Smart is averaging just 21.9 minutes per game and Scotty Pippen Jr. has emerged as a top talent in Memphis, it's safe to say he and his $20,210,285 salary will be available
3. Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards
The top target for many, including the Lakers themselves, Jonas Valanciunas would fix perhaps the most important issue in Los Angeles. That isn't to say that it's the biggest flaw on the court, but factoring in behind-the-scenes discussions, Valanciunas would be a dream acquisition.
It's been over a year since franchise player Anthony Davis asked the Lakers to acquire a center who can help him down low. Thankfully, Valanciunas checks every box.
Los Angeles' biggest issues along the interior are rebounding, generating consistent offense, and keeping heavier bigs out of the paint. They rank No. 24 in second-chance points, No. 27 in points allowed in the paint, and No. 28 in second-chance points permitted. Furthermore, rim-runner Jaxson Hayes is second among Lakers centers in scoring at just 6.4 points per game.
Valanciunas, meanwhile, is a 6'11" and 265-pound big with a massive wingspan, an elite post game, and tremendous rebounding value.
Valanciunas is currently averaging 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 blocks in just 19.7 minutes per game. Based on his current statistics, he would rank No. 1 on the Lakers in offensive rebound percentage, defensive rebound percentage, and points via post-ups per 36 minutes.
It's understandable to have concerns about his defensive consistency, but Valanciunas would address multiple flaws and give the franchise player the support they've been asking for since 2023.