The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make any moves outside of the draft this offseason, which is concerning given their No. 7 seed finish and first-round playoff exit in 2024. One major reason for this inactivity may be the need to trade or waive a player before they can add someone new.
With 15 players currently on their roster, the Lakers would need to make a move to create space for a new addition. As the Western Conference continues to strengthen, making such a move could be crucial for enhancing their competitiveness.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report mentioned veteran Doug McDermott as a notable free agent still available and suggested the Lakers as a potential destination for the 32-year-old.
“LeBron James plus shooters has long been a winning formula, yet the Los Angeles Lakers ranked just 24th in made threes per game last season (11.8). Rookie Dalton Knecht should help address this, but the Lakers haven’t made any additional moves and lost Taurean Prince to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
“At 32, Doug McDermott may not offer much beyond his shooting, but he remains an exceptional floor-spacer who would complement James and Anthony Davis well. Last season, McDermott shot 47.8 percent on pull-up threes and 40.3 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts while with the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers. The Pacers scored 7.1 more points per 100 possessions with McDermott on the court (94th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass). His defensive limitations could be mitigated by playing alongside Davis,” Swartz wrote on August 11.
LeBron James recently demonstrated why the Lakers need to be aggressive in their roster moves. On August 10, James was named Olympic MVP, leading Team USA to their fifth consecutive gold medal. He averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over six games. Although he’s 39, James showcased that he still has plenty of energy and skill remaining in his career.”
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