Biggest Offseason Needs for the Los Angeles Lakers Ahead of the 2021 NBA Season

The Lakers got it done in the bubble thanks to heroic efforts from LeBron and AD. Rajon Rondo played well at times, as did Alex Caruso, but let’s not beat around the bush.

LA’s roster consists of two mega-superstars and a bunch of expendable parts.

With all signs pointing toward the Purple and Gold retaining Anthony Davis, it’s time for Rob Pelinka to head back to square one. Let’s go over the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest needs so that he can surround his two studs with enough adequate pieces.

LBJ demonstrated he can excel as the Lakers PG. However, look for Lebron’s load to start decreasing dramatically in 2020-21. If LeBron wants to stick around until his son Bronny joins the league, continuing to play 35 minutes per night at age 36 isn’t really in the cards.

Given the allegations swirling around that Rajon Rondo could be on his way to the Clippers, LA needs to readdress the point guard position.

While there aren’t a ton of highly-coveted PGs in free agency that the Lake Show can squeeze into their budget, they could target a point guard with the 28^th pick in the draft. Perhaps that’s Cassius Winston or Tre Jones, but I’d like to see the Lakers select SDSU’s Malachi Flynn.

LA ranked 21^st in the NBA in three-point % during the regular season. Their struggles from beyond the arc continued in the bubble, but it really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Danny Green was supposed to be the team’s “marksman” from outside – yet we almost expected his form to crumble when it mattered.

And indeed it did.

KCP showed signs of life in the Finals, but those “signs of life” are exactly what could cause Caldwell-Pope to decline his player option. 

The Lakers will need to add shooters to this roster to alleviate pressure off of James and Davis. It’ll be interesting to see how Pelinka and his staff go about executing what seems to be item #1 on the offseason agenda.

The Clippers have Lou Williams, the Rockets have Eric Gordon, even the Thunder have Dennis Shroder. LA’s biggest punch off their bench is Alex Caruso. 

No offense, but the guy they’re calling “The Bald Mamba,” shot 41.2% from the field (33% from downtown) and averaged 5.5 points per game. That’s not even remotely close to being considered as “instant offense.”

Given the capital that Pelinka will have at his disposal following some expected departures, trying to lure Jordan Clarkson back to Hollywood wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Shabazz Napier is another scoring guard who would make some sense, and Danilo Gallinari has already expressed interest in joining a sincere contender. 

In any case, one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest needs is a second-unit player who can go get himself a bucket. Snagging a couple of guys who fit this bill would be even better.

Frankly, the more the merrier. 

The Lake Show secured a ring in AD’s first season but it’s way too early to start resting on any laurels. The championship window is far from closed in Tinseltown.

Among the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest needs to get back to the final series are shoring up their backcourt and adding depth to their rotation.

Then again, as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are patrolling the court, this franchise isn’t going anywhere.