The Lakers may win four veterans in the 2025 offseason to assist James and Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a bad playoffs. Although they achieved a regular season record of third place in the Western Conference in the 2024-25 season, they stopped in the first round in the playoffs. Because they exposed too many weaknesses, they were easily defeated by the Timberwolves.

To this end, Eddie Bitar, the author of the US media "Fadeaway World", proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers try to win four veterans in the 2025 offseason to assist LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

1. Chris Middleton

Los Angeles Lakers won: Chris Middleton (sign first and then exchange)

Washington Wizards won: Hachimura, Vincent, 2025 No. 55 draft pick

Chris Middleton was traded to the Washington Wizards by the Bucks in the 2024-25 season. As a 30-year-old veteran, he has also encountered some injuries in recent seasons, averaging 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season, and his shooting percentage is 47.5%. It seems unlikely to win Chris Middleton, mainly because his contract is too big, which is not conducive to the Lakers' expenses savings. However, if you win him, the Lakers can have an excellent and stable scoring point.

2. Jerami Grant

Los Angeles Lakers won: Jerami Grant

Portland Trail Blazers won: Hachimura Base, Jared Vanderbilt, 2025 No. 55 draft pick

Jerami Grant has become the player the Trail Blazers want to trade and send away the most since Lillard left. There is no way, his annual salary is as high as more than 30 million US dollars, and the team does not send him away, which is not conducive to other Trail Blazers players to get more opportunities to train themselves. The 2024-25 season averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Looking at his annual salary of more than $30 million, it is impossible for the Lakers to win him. Moreover, he once refused to join the Lakers and joined forces with LeBron and James and others.

3. Smart

Los Angeles Lakers won: Marcus Smart

Washington Wizards won: Jared Vanderbilt, Gab Vincent, 2025 No. 55 draft pick

Smart played for the Washington Wizards, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the 2024-25 season. As the 2022 defensive player of the year, he has excellent defensive ability and experience, and he is suitable for the reinforcement requirements of the Lakers back. However, his annual salary this season is something the Lakers don’t want, and the Lakers might as well keep Jared Vanderbilt.

4. Brooke Lopez

Brooke Lopez is the core of the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in the 2024-25 season. Brooke Lopez was revealed that the Lakers may have contacted him after the playoffs to discuss whether they are willing to return to the Lakers. Brooke Lopez is an all-round center, able to shoot three-pointers and has good defensive ability.