The Los Angeles Lakers are less than three weeks away from the start of the 2025-26 season.

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LA ended the 2024-25 season on a disappointing note, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs, losing in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers had glaring holes in their roster, and although they didn’t address all of them this offseason, they did make some notable upgrades.

The Lakers will now look to make some serious noise this season, led by their two superstars: Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

The two superstars will look to lead the Lakers on a deep playoff run; however, it is clear that they need to make some tweaks to their roster if they want to establish themselves as among the favorites this season.

It’s unclear if the Lakers will make a roster upgrade prior to the early February trade deadline. LA could go a multitude of ways, but the Lakers could go after San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson.

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“Perhaps the most realistic trade candidate, Johnson would be able to help the Lakers off the bench,” On SI’s Ryan Stano writes. “They don’t have anyone that they can truly trust to score in a bench role.

“Johnson is also a solid rebounder, grabbing just under five rebounds per game off the bench. He’s also durable, so he would be someone the Lakers could count on throughout the season.”

The Lakers Could Use Some More Frontcourt Help

The Lakers upgraded the center position this summer by adding DeAndre Ayton; however, they could use some help in the small forward or power forward positions.

A potential addition of Johnson would do just that.

The Lakers lack a solid two-way player who is 6-foot-7 and above. James does fit that bill, but he is 40 years old; it’s unfair to ask him to do so night in and night out throughout an 82-game season.

Johnson could do just that and could be of great use on the offensive end. He is a strong, downhill scorer who could thrive in the on-catch-and-finishing situations.

However, while Johnson can score when called upon from time to time, he is not the best off-ball defender, and the Lakers already have a player like that in Rui Hachimura.

The Lakers need an upgrade in the frontcourt, and while it’s not a guarantee that they will likely make a trade, LA will certainly be in the conversation to make a massive trade.

If the Lakers find a deal they like, don’t be surprised if they catapult themselves into title contenders by early February.

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