The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs despite featuring a high-profile trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. While the trade that brought Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis initially seemed promising, the team’s flaws were exposed in the postseason. The Lakers lacked key elements needed for playoff success—defense, shooting, and consistent bench production. Outside of Doncic and James, the rest of the roster underperformed, and head coach JJ Redick’s limited trust in his role players contributed to their near sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the Lakers head into the offseason, several issues must be addressed, with their lack of size being a major concern. That said, the team is rich in playmakers, with James, Doncic, and Reaves all needing the ball in their hands. This overlapping skill set became problematic, especially against Minnesota. Before acquiring Doncic, the offense flowed better with either James or Reaves in control. Now, the Lakers would benefit more from a pure scorer rather than another ball handler.
One possible solution could be Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane. While Bane is crucial for Memphis, the team’s recent struggles—including a first-round sweep by the Thunder—could make him available if the Grizzlies seek a roster shake-up.
Bane would provide the Lakers with a much-needed scoring threat and two-way presence. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in the 2024–25 season, shooting an efficient 48.4% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc, along with 1.2 steals per game.
A potential trade involving Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Shake Milton for Bane could balance the Lakers’ roster. While losing Reaves would hurt, the Lakers already have two dominant ball-handlers. Bane’s arrival could enhance spacing, boost scoring, and add perimeter defense. Still, addressing their lack of frontcourt size remains the Lakers’ top offseason priority.
