After managing just one win in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers enter the offseason with a clear need to improve.
Playoff shortcomings aside, LA’s 2024-25 season was headlined by its historic move to acquire superstar Luka Doncic from the Mavericks in a deal that set the franchise up for the present and future. Doncic is now the franchise’s cornerstone, in place to relieve some of the pressure from 40-year-old LeBron James.
It’s unclear how many more seasons fans can enjoy the Doncic-James pairing in Los Angeles, but all signs indicate that the two superstars’ forces will align for at least one full season in the City of Angels. With those two on the roster, the expectation is nothing short of a title.
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To win a championship, however, the Lakers must first address clear flaws on their roster. They don’t have the most financial flexibility, but Los Angeles is always a destination for free agents. Here are a few of the best fits for the Lakers in free agency.
Ranking best free agents for Lakers in 2025
1. Clint Capela
2024-25 salary:Â $22.3 million
Capela isn’t who he once was, but the 31-year-old could benefit from a change in scenery and the opportunity to play alongside Doncic and James.
Statistically, last season was Capela’s worst since his second in the league, but he still averaged 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 55.9 percent from the field. He’s 6-10, has nice touch around the rim, and immediately becomes LA’s most viable option at the center position.
Capela may not be the perfect fit, but the fact that he is getting older and coming off of a down year may make him attainable at a reasonable salary.
2. Luke Kornet
2024-25 salary:Â $2.1 million
Kornet earned himself some money last season with the Celtics, who may be clearing out cap space to retain the soon-to-be 30-year-old 7-footer.
If nothing else, last season showed just how solid Kornet is when given an opportunity. He stays within himself and makes the right play on both ends of the floor — as a finisher, rebounder, and rim protector. His 10-point, nine-rebound, seven-block performance in the playoffs is something of an outlier, but it does show what he’s capable of at his peak.
It’s not flashy, but Kornet effectively does a lot of the things the Lakers need.
3. Jake LaRavia
2024-25 salary:Â $3.4 million
After an interesting start to his career, LaRavia enters the offseason as one of the more underrated unrestricted free agents. The Grizzlies declined to pick up LaRavia’s fourth-year option before dealing him to the Kings to finish the season.
He has good size at 6-8 and 235 pounds, and he’s a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter, albeit at relatively low volume. The market for LaRavia will be interesting, but LA could use his perimeter skills and effort on both ends of the floor.
4. Davion Mitchell
2024-25 salary:Â $6.5 million
Mitchell is also interesting in that he’s spent the first four years of his career with three teams, but he’s beginning to find his way. Last season, Mitchell’s relentless effort allowed him to carve a role in Toronto and Miami, the latter of which included big postseason moments.
The Lakers’ need for point-of-attack defense can be addressed by Mitchell, who, almost surprisingly, shot the 3-ball at a 39.8 percent clip last season. The shooting would be a bonus, but Mitchell’s perimeter defense would be massive for Los Angeles.
5. Brook Lopez
2024-25 salary:Â $23.0 million
LA doesn’t need to get any older, but a reunion with the 37-year-old Lopez is intriguing. He’s added years to his career by redefining himself as a stretch five that protects the rim, and the Lakers would benefit from his size, floor spacing, and shot-blocking.
With the uncertainty in Milwaukee, could the Lakers entice Lopez with a respectable enough offer to get him to return to California? It would be intriguing to see him play with Doncic and James during his second go-round in purple and gold.
