The Los Angeles Lakers are known for making big moves during the offseason, with notable past additions like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
This time, however, they surprised everyone by acquiring Luka Dončić midseason in a trade that shocked the NBA. With Dončić now as their franchise centerpiece, the next step for the Lakers will be building a contender around him.
What’s Next for the Lakers After Luka Dončić?
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Lakers must act quickly to form a strong roster around Dončić. The challenge lies in balancing LeBron James’ desire for an immediate championship with the long-term goal of keeping Dončić happy in Los Angeles.
The Lakers’ Immediate Needs
With Dončić, James, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have one of the best offensive trios in the league. However, there are still some significant gaps in the rest of the roster.
Center Rotation
The Lakers are missing a reliable center. Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes don’t fill the need. Kleber has injury concerns, and Hayes has yet to prove he’s a consistent rim protector. Christian Wood could return, but the Mavericks let him go for a reason.
Dončić thrives with centers who can protect the rim and finish alley-oops, a role the Lakers currently lack. This position is their top priority.
Point-of-attack Defender
Dončić is excited to team up again with Dorian Finney-Smith, but the Lakers need more 3-and-D players. Jarred Vanderbilt is a strong defender but struggles to shoot. Rookie Dalton Knecht is a promising shooter but lacks defensive ability. The loss of Max Christie hurts, as the Lakers were 17-8 with him starting. He had become the point-of-attack defender the team needed alongside Reaves.
To stay competitive this season, the Lakers must add at least one center and one reliable 3-and-D wing/guard before the trade deadline.
The Bigger Picture: Luka’s Future Co-Star
LeBron James is 40, and while he can’t be the long-term co-star for Dončić, Reaves could fill that role. However, there are questions about how well Reaves fits next to Dončić. Reaves has been playing well as a point guard this season, but he’ll need to adjust to being a secondary playmaker.
More concerning is Reaves’ defense. He played well as a rookie but has struggled as his offensive role expanded. Without a top-tier center behind him, these weaknesses could become more obvious.
Dončić will be a free agent in 2026, and the Lakers need to prove they can build a team capable of winning for the long haul. Role players won’t be enough—they need another star to keep him in Los Angeles.
Who’s Next on the Lakers Trade Block After Dončić Trade?
Several Lakers players could be moved before the trade deadline:
- Rui Hachimura: A solid 3-point shooter (42%) over two seasons, but weak on defense and rebounding.
- Gabe Vincent: A good defender and improving shooter, but mainly a salary-matching piece.
- Dalton Knecht: Valuable but makes under $4 million, so he would need to be bundled with another player to bring in a significant return.
- Jarred Vanderbilt: Injury-prone with three years left on his contract, making him harder to trade.
With limited trade assets, the Lakers will need to be strategic with their moves.
The Road Ahead
The Lakers are in a tough situation. They need to add help now while keeping their long-term options open for Dončić’s future. If they can’t land another star, they will need to build a strong supporting cast to make Los Angeles an attractive place for future players.
The next few days will be crucial in determining if the Lakers can compete with Dončić in 2025 or if they will have to wait for a bigger move later. One thing is certain: this trade is just the start.
