Training camp is less than a month away as the Los Angeles Lakers begin to prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season.
As is always the case in this franchise, expectations will be high. The Lakers are coming off a 50-win season and addressed their needs this offseason by bringing in Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. With Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves leading the way, the Lakers will have a chance to do some damage this season despite the Western Conference being as loaded as ever.
While the Lakers’ roster is likely set for the start of the season, they have between now and the February trade deadline to continue making upgrades. One area they would still love to address is their wing defense, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, they will continue that pursuit:
The Lakers are in win-now mode.
They signed Luka Dončić to a three-year max contract extension worth $165 million on the first day such a deal was permissible (Aug. 2). They have LeBron James under contract for one more season. And they will be on the lookout, I’m told, for the proverbial right deal to present itself to upgrade on the wing if possible and add to a list of newcomers headlined by Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia.
As I understand it: The Lakers’ reluctance in the early stages of the offseason to consider trades for contracts that stretch beyond the 2025-26 season has thawed somewhat.
I don’t think that means they’ll swing a deal for just anyone between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but league sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling.
One player the Lakers have been linked to this offseason is Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat, and Stein believes they are still interested:
The sort of player who is likely to interest the Lakers?
My read (if Miami were to make him available): Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins, 30, will earn $28.2 million this season and holds a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. I wouldn’t have classified him as a potential purple-and-gold target before Dončić’s long-term future was secured, but things are different now. So my sense is that the Lakers would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll.
Wiggins would be a good fit for the Lakers, although the Heat have made it clear that they are not looking to deal him right now. Other reports have also indicated the Lakers are not interested in the 30-year-old.
These things can change at any time though and there’s no denying that Wiggins would make the Lakers better. With that being the case, it could be something to monitor going into the season if the Heat struggle and look to reset their roster.
Pau Gasol excited for Lakers season
One person who is excited for the upcoming Lakers season is franchise legend Pau Gasol, especially with Luka Doncic now on the team.
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