Lakers' Blueprint for 2024 NBA Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers will always deserve at least a mention in NBA championship talks as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are draped in purple and gold.

To truly have a say in the title race, though, this roster needs a face-lift between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline. They don't have to swing for a star necessarily, but their shopping list should be extensive. They have championship aspirations and—heading into Wednesday night, at least—a sub-.500 record. Those two things cannot coexist.

"It's just too much on Bron right now," a rival player told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "Everyone is just going to pack the paint and try to frustrate him because they need a lot. Speed. Playmaking. Shooting."

With so many potential paths to improvement, the Lakers might need a roadmap to navigate the busy trade season ahead. This three-step blueprint can help get things going.

1. Find Shooters

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 09: Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Buddy Hield #7 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter of the championship game of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on December 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Pacers 123-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Hoops history has often held that teams need top-10 efficiency ranks on offense and defense if they hope to hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. L.A.'s 13rd-ranked defense is close to that threshold, per NBA.com, but its 22nd-ranked offense is nowhere near where it needs to be.

For this attack to climb the ladder, the Lakers have to find more shooting.

With a properly spaced floor, this group could be unstoppable, given how much pressure James and Davis can put on an opposing defense. Unfortunately, L.A. simply doesn't have that. The Lakers are 28th in three-point makes (10.9 per game), 30th in three-point attempts (30.4) and 20th in three-point percentage (35.7).

The front office needs to scratch this itch. It's hard to imagine this offense ever approaching championship-level if it doesn't.

2. Determine Who's Actually Off-Limits

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 13: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on January 13, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

If the Lakers hope to add a notable name by the deadline—Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine have been mentioned as possible targets—it'll cost them.

That makes things tricky, because they aren't exactly flush with assets. They have a single first-round pick at their disposal (2029). Young players like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie and Maxwell Lewis haven't shown enough to serve as anything other than sweeteners.

The wild card here is Austin Reaves, who hasn't quite made the leap some hoped to see but is still having the most productive season of his career. Plus, the four-year, $53.8 million pact he signed last summer read like a bargain before the ink even dried. His complementary game also makes him a fit for virtually any style. His trade value, in other words, is significant.

Of course, his value to this team is significant, too, so the Lakers must decide whether they can realistically upgrade their roster enough to justify his sacrifice. So far, that doesn't seem to be the case, as Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported the Lakers "have shown no interest in trading Reaves." It's fair to wonder, though, if L.A. will hold to that stance if it becomes clear there's no other way to bring a needle-mover to town.

3. Add Defense, Downhill Attacking to Perimeter

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 13: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on January 13, 2024 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Chris Nicoll/NBAE via Getty Images)

Shooting might sit atop the team's deadline wish list, but it isn't the only thing the Lakers are after.

"The Lakers are seeking speed and quickness in the backcourt," B/R's Chris Haynes reported. "... The Lakers want to push the pace offensively and are interested in someone who can serve as a point-of-attack defender."

L.A.'s guard group doesn't offer much north-south zip. Opposing defenses don't have to worry much when players not named James or Davis are attacking the basket. And when the Lakers look to maximize what little spacing they have, they can end up with more defensive liabilities on the floor than they can handle.

The Lakers need someone who can ease the shot-creation burden on James and prevent a parade of downhill drivers from attacking Davis. Basically, they need guards who can't be as easily game-planned off the floor as D'Angelo Russell was during their last playoff run. They need athletic guards who can hold their own at both ends of the floor. The only question is whether their budget will allow for such an upgrade.