The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking to make moves this offseason, but LeBron James will not be on the move, says an NBA Insider.
The Lakers have been the centre of everybody’s attention this offseason. Huge questions surround the future of their two superstars, James and Luka Doncic, as James is reportedly seeking a departure from LA, and Doncic is considering whether to re-sign.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have publicly announced the passing of the torch from James to Doncic, suggesting they will be happy to see the back of James, and stated they will target the offseason two years from now to build around Doncic.
Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
They have made some moves, the most significant addition being Trail Blazers center DeAndre Ayton, who was bought out by the Blazers. But they also let defensive wing Dorian Finney-Smith leave in free agency. And they’re not done yet, according to reports.
NBA Insider says LA Lakers are pursuing a three-and-D wing, but this NBA Champion is off the table
The departure of Finney-Smith from the Lakers, who have natural defensive deficiencies on the wing with Doncic, leaves them in need of finding a replacement. NBA Insider Brett Siegel said they are actively looking for a three-and-D wing to fill the hole left by Finney-Smith.
He posted to X, “The roster [the Lakers] have now won’t be their opening night roster, and I feel pretty confident saying that.
The roster they have now won’t be their opening night roster, and I feel pretty confident saying that.
We talked about them pursuing a big before signing Ayton, but they’ve been hunting 3-and-D production on the wing.
Andrew Wiggins is no longer a possibility. https://t.co/dl1a1ifTaa
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 16, 2025
View Tweet
“We talked about them pursuing a big before signing Ayton, but they’ve been hunting 3-and-D production on the wing.”
The Lakers were reported to be in pursuit of Miami Heat wing Andrew Wiggins, who was an NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. Siegel said that option is not on the table for LA.
He said, “Andrew Wiggins is no longer a possibility.”
The difficulty with needing a three-and-D wing is that everybody needs one. That’s why Finney-Smith was so valuable.
The best options that could come onto the market are Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes, but both are restricted free agents and expected to re-sign with their respective teams eventually. In all likelihood, the Lakers will have to explore the trade market.
LeBron James is likely to start the season as a LA Laker, says NBA Insider Brett Siegel
The LeBron James trade reports appear to have cooled slightly in the last week, despite four teams emerging as potential candidates.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who James won the championship with in 2016, said they would only acquire him if he was bought out, and the Lakers seem to be happier to let the NBA’s all-time leading scorer leave in free agency next summer.
Rumours did emerge that the Dallas Mavericks were gearing up to trade for James, but Siegel dismissed the possibility of James leaving any time soon.
He said, “[James] could ultimately ask out, but I find it very, very hard to believe he will. That’s been the sense from everyone I’ve spoke with too in Vegas. No LeBron trade is imminent. Lakers haven’t even held trade talks involving him. I would be surprised if LeBron was traded.”
He continued, “All that noise from random people on here about him being traded imminently is fake. Dallas and Los Angeles have not talked AT ALL on a James trade. I would be surprised if he didn’t start the season with LA.”
That doesn’t rule out the possibility of James leaving midseason. The Lakers could well be trying to convince teams that they will let him walk for leverage. But for the time being, it seems that he and Doncic will be taking to the floor together this season.