Los Angeles Lakers Target 5 Wings in Offseason

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said something very simple, but profound during his exit interview. The Lakers have a need for wings, and this offseason provides an opportunity to acquire them. “Luke Kennard is a great example. He’s a guy that can dribble, pass, and shoot,” Ham said. “I think because of injuries, there were times that we didn’t have enough of that. We’ve got to be better being able to dribble, pass and shoot.” Now that the offseason is here, the Lakers can address these detriments with an injection of new talent. One position in particular that needs players who can dribble, pass and shoot at the highest level is the wings. Since every team in the NBA desires this as well, wings are in high demand and hard to find, even when roster spots and money are available. Still, the Lakers have a bit of both open, so they need to find some new wings to become a true Western Conference contender. Here’s a look at five wings the Lakers could target this summer, either in free agency or via trade. ## Herb Jones The Lakers have been connected to Jones for quite some time, but the Pelicans haven’t been interested in making a deal. Reportedly, New Orleans wants a ton of draft capital, which has made a trade tough to execute. Now, the Lakers currently have three first-round picks they can offer, and perhaps the market has changed, making Jones a tradeable player. His value is clear. Jones is a great defender, and while his scoring dipped to just 8.9 points per game this season, he has been a double-digit scorer over the last two years. Considering all the open space he’ll have to operate under with Luka Dončić on the ball, he’d likely have an offensive uptick playing with the Lakers. Still just 27 years old, Jones still has room to grow, and LA would be a great place for that to happen. ## Trey Murphy III While the Pelicans didn’t win many games, they have another quality player that teams like the Lakers want in Murphy. LA has had ties to Murphy since before he was an NBA player, having him come in for a pre-draft workout back in 2021 when he stated he wanted to be an All-Star. He hasn’t quite reached that level, but this year he averaged a career-high 21.5 points per game. Murphy is also a career 38.2% 3-point shooter, making him an ideal wing for the Lakers. Similar to Jones, Murphy is under contract through the 2028-29 season, making $27 million-plus each year, and the team has a club option for the following season. So, a trade is the only way the Lakers can acquire him, but that’s a great option to go with if the Pelicans are serious about making a deal. ## Peyton Watson Watson is a restricted free agent, but considering that the Nuggets flamed out of the playoffs and could be in the second apron with a hefty luxury tax bill if they don’t shed salary, so it’s very possible Denver will have to move on from him. This past season, Watson scored 14.1 points per game and shot 41.1% from beyond the arc. That level of shooting is hard to find, and if the Lakers are smart, they’ll aggressively pursue him. ## Luguentz Dort Okay, some Lakers fans will detest the idea of Dort, mainly because he is a tough defender with a reputation for being dirty. However, he is exactly the kind of player you hate to play, but love to have. He is a defensive irritant and while his offensive numbers are modest, averaging just 8.3 points per game this season, Dort has had seasons where he’s been a more significant contributor. ## Terence Davis Davis is another player who could be a great fit for the Lakers. He’s a career 36.4% 3-point shooter and has shown the ability to score from the perimeter. He’s also a decent defender and could provide some much-needed depth to the Lakers’ bench. The Lakers have a few options to acquire these players, including signing them in free agency or trading for them. With the offseason just beginning, it’s unclear which route they will take, but one thing is certain: the Lakers need to bolster their roster if they want to become a true Western Conference contender.