NBA Rumors: The missing piece for the Lakers to complete their roster
The Los Angeles franchise has a competitive team and one of the best leaders in the league, like Luka Doncic, but they lack a reliable starting power forward.
The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to finalize the starting lineup they aimed to build around their star player, Luka Doncic, this summer. Despite numerous moves made during the offseason, the Los Angeles franchise continues to search the trade market for a power forward capable of fitting into the starting five.
The team missed out on several targets they pursued, including Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga, two players who would have completed a lineup alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, and Walker Kessler. Now, according to Jovan Buha, the Lakers are still exploring the possibility of adding a starting-caliber player to fill that position.
Buha confirms that the Lakers are still exploring the market
Rumors about Los Angeles' interest in adding another wing or forward to their roster have been confirmed. Buha stated in the latest episode of his show Buha’s Block that the Lakers continue looking for a trade that would allow them to acquire a starting power forward.
“The Lakers are looking for a starter. I think they are exploring that. They will try to do it, whether now or at some point before the trade deadline.”
The power forward position has been one of the main talking points surrounding the Lakers' lineup. According to Buha, the franchise remains interested in finding another perimeter player who can presumably shoot and defend at a high level.
Since the 2026 trade deadline, reports had emerged about the Lakers' intention to make significant moves both in free agency and in the trade market to build a new roster around Doncic. The arrival of Quentin Grimes and Walker Kessler contributed to that goal, but the signing of the starting power forward many expected did not happen.
It was not from lack of trying. The Lakers were linked to some of the most significant names available this summer, although none ended up wearing the Los Angeles franchise's jersey. The attempt for Jonathan Kuminga was one of the most notable examples of that search.
The roster offers several alternatives
While the Lakers continue to monitor the market, the current roster also provides different possibilities to fill the power forward position. Maxwell Ogden of LakeShowLife.com believes that choosing one of the players already on the team could be a more convenient option, especially since the franchise still does not know how this new group of players will function or how their different pieces will fit together.
“Although the absence of an ideal fifth player easily justifies the Lakers' interest in a potential trade, the reason they should remain patient is simple: they still do not know how this team will truly play or how their players will coexist,” wrote Ogden. “While it is understandable and even admirable for Los Angeles to take the initiative, it would be wise for Rob Pelinka and company to learn how the current pieces fit before completing a trade for another new player.”
Buha, for his part, mentioned up to six candidates who could compete for that spot in the starting lineup: Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero, and Matisse Thybulle.
“I could back the candidacy of up to six players: Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero, and Matisse Thybulle,” Buha explained about the vacancy at power forward.
Some of these options seem more challenging than others. The text points out that it's hard to imagine Adou Thiero, who will face his second season, or Jarred Vanderbilt, whose name has also appeared as a possible trade asset, filling that role. Still, they all remain part of the available alternatives at present.
The Lakers' dilemma: wait or return to the market
The Lakers made a significant effort to build a new roster around Doncic. If none of the players already on the team convinces to fill the fifth spot in the lineup, the situation also raises questions about the franchise's planning in a summer expected to be one of the most active in recent times.
In any case, the Lakers' interest in finding a starting power forward has been confirmed. However, making a move now might also involve risks, as the franchise still does not know what the ceiling for this new group could be.
“A starting-level forward who brings value on both ends of the court simply won’t be a cheap target, and Los Angeles is painfully lacking in assets for trades,” Ogden added. “Even if they somehow avoid paying a high price, rushing into the decision and letting go of any asset would be inadvisable.”
Therefore, the Lakers are keeping two avenues open. On one hand, they can continue looking in the market for a starting power forward to complete the lineup around Doncic. On the other, they have several alternatives within the roster if they ultimately cannot acquire any of their targets.
None of them seem to be the star-level player that the team and its fans hoped to add this summer, but that is the situation Los Angeles currently faces.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: La pieza que le falta a los Lakers para completar su plantilla