Lakers Rumors on Roster Around Luka Doncic, Updated Needs at 2026 NBA Trade Deadline

Despite obvious flaws with their roster construction, particularly on the defensive end of the court, the Los Angeles Lakers might not be an active buyer leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Per The Athletic's Christian Clark and Dan Woike, it's more likely the Lakers will wait until the offseason to explore major roster upgrades because there's no one potential move they could make in the next two weeks that would address all of their issues:

"Lakers sources have referenced the time it took for Dallas to build out its most optimized rosters around Dončić, noting that the Lakers need more athleticism, shooting and defense to replicate what was left behind in Dallas. No potential move the Lakers make at the deadline will check more than one of those boxes, and some around the team believe the real work will happen in the summer, when the Lakers could have as many as three first-round picks to use in trades to improve the roster."

Even though the in-season trade market appears very limited, there are some things the Lakers could do that might at least help them maintain a level of competitiveness as they try to avoid the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted people around the league expect the Lakers will "focus on perimeter help between now and the trade deadline."

The Lakers will get an offensive boost soon after head coach JJ Redick said this week that Austin Reaves, who has been out since suffering a calf strain on Christmas Day, will return at some point during their current eight-game road trip.

Over the last 14 games with Reaves out of the lineup, the Lakers are 14th in offensive rating. They were seventh in offensive rating in 29 games through Christmas Day.

Reaves' return doesn't help the defense that has the sixth-worst rating in the NBA this season. The five teams behind them in that category are all at least 15 games under .500.

One of the big problems for the Lakers in exploring the trade market right now is the lack of quality options available. ESPN's Dave McMenamin has cited Peyton Watson, Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Keon Ellis and De'Andre Hunter as the types of players they are looking at.

Watson, who is averaging a career-high 14.5 points and shooting 42.1 percent from three, is playing so well for the Denver Nuggets right now that it would seem unlikely they trade him. Even if they did move the 23-year-old, why would they send him to another playoff contender in the West?

Kuminga seems like a safe bet to get traded by the Golden State Warriors, but he has been criticized for selfish play with them throughout his career. How well would he fit in with Redick, who hasn't been shy about calling out his team when he thinks they are playing selfish basketball, would be a big question.

Wiggins and Hunter could help the Lakers this season, but they would also be tying up money into next season. Wiggins has a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. Hunter's deal is guaranteed through next season with a $24.9 million salary in 2026-27.

Ellis is a bargain with a $2.3 million salary this season in the final year of his rookie deal, but he is only averaging 5.3 points per game in 39 appearances for the Sacramento Kings.

This might be a season where the Lakers just have to ride it out with what they have, hope it is good enough to get them in the playoffs and see what happens from there.

It's a formula that has served them pretty well so far, as the Lakers are currently sixth in the West with a 26-17 record. They have lost 12 of their last 22 games following a 16-5 start to the season.