The last image of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025 Playoffs was of a team struggling defensively. Part of those issues stemmed from the absence of a rim protector, but also from the perimeter limitations of their elite trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
To address those problems, the front office added Deandre Ayton, former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, as well as Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero. They also re-signed Jaxson Hayes and secured Doncic’s contract extension. Reports indicate they are still pursuing Andrew Wiggins, regarded as one of the best two-way forwards in the league.
Even so, the big question is whether these additions will be enough to elevate the team’s perimeter defense.
The main weakness on the roster remains individual defense on the perimeter. While Doncic, LeBron, and Reaves are reliable offensively, they provide less security on the defensive end.
After Doncic’s arrival last season, Dorian Finney-Smith had taken on that specialist role, but he left for Houston in free agency. Smart remains a valuable piece, though at 31 he is considered more effective guarding bigger opponents than defending on the perimeter.
Finney-Smith’s departure created a significant gap on the wings. The Lakers are hoping Jarred Vanderbilt, who missed most of last season with injury, can return to the 2022-23 version of himself that helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals.
The most attractive scenario for the Lakers would be adding Wiggins, who was the Warriors’ best defender during their 2022 title run. His arrival would put Los Angeles in the same conversation as Western Conference powers like the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets.
A versatile forward capable of guarding multiple positions, relieving LeBron, Luka, Reaves, and Rui Hachimura of that burden, while complementing Smart’s defensive tools, would be the ideal adjustment to transform the team.
Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, and Gabe Vincent… all in the final year of their contracts, are viewed as potential trade assets in a hypothetical deal for Wiggins.
