The lights in Los Angeles are as bright as ever, but with each passing year since that last title, the pressure has only gotten heavier. LeBron James is racing against time for one final championship run, Luka Dončić is finally at the peak of his powers, and the Lakers’ front office has gone all-in on a roster tailor-made for a win-now push.
But beneath the surface, there’s a lingering question. Despite the big names, whispers around the league suggest a piece might still be missing to make this team truly unstoppable.
Do the Lakers Still Need One More Piece to Complete Their Win-Now Roster?
The Lakers are past the days of rebuilding. Now, all eyes are on the trophy. With Luka Dončić signed to a three-year, $165 million extension, LeBron James picking up his $52.6 million player option, and the arrivals of DeAndre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia, everything screams championship-or-bust for Los Angeles. Star power? Check. Depth? Check. The franchise looks fully committed to chasing a record 19th banner.
Even so, some around the team see room for one more upgrade. On his recent podcast, Lakers reporter Jovan Buha described the exact type of player he thinks could push the squad over the hump.
“If the Lakers were to get Andrew Wiggins, or a player of that ilk, a player of that archetype – I think that’s the ideal player to put besides Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves,” Buha said.
“A two-way wing who can guard multiple positions, including backcourt players and wings, and take that burden off LeBron, Luka, Austin and Rui [Hachimura], turning them into help defenders – but also someone who can complement the skill sets of Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.”
Buha made it clear: the Lakers are searching for a true two-way wing who can guard all over the floor and fit right in with their stars. That addition would take immense defensive pressure off James, Dončić, and Reaves. With a reliable defender on the wing, Los Angeles’ stars could save more energy for offense, sliding into help roles rather than taking on the league’s most challenging assignments each night.
Why Would Andrew Wiggins Make Sense Beside Luka Dončić and LeBron James?
Andrew Wiggins seems to check every box for what L.A. needs right now. He’s not coming in to be the first option, but can slot perfectly as a complementary piece. Offensively, he fits by hitting open shots off Dončić’s passes or James’ drives, and cutting to the basket to stretch defenses. He isn’t just a shooter; he moves without the ball, giving the offense another layer.
Defensively, Wiggins has the tools the Lakers need. He can switch across positions, guard quick backcourt players, and body up larger wings, making him a versatile defender who thrives in playoff matchups.
With Marcus Smart handling the bulldog assignments and Rui Hachimura providing strength and shooting, Wiggins could be the glue guy this lineup needs. Smart brings energy and secondary playmaking, Hachimura stretches the floor and finds his shots, and Wiggins has the skill set to defend the league’s best, which is a tough ask for James in his 23rd season.
It’s not all just speculation. Recent reports suggest the Lakers have already turned their attention toward a player like Andrew Wiggins, so Buha’s idea isn’t coming out of nowhere.
The bottom line is that the Lakers are stacked with talent, but Buha’s take points to a key difference between being a playoff team and raising the trophy at the end. The right two-way wing — someone who plays tough defense off the ball, fits with the stars, and thrives in the background — could be precisely what transforms Los Angeles from contenders into champions. A player like Wiggins might be the last piece to their championship puzzle.