Hanifan's Offseason Outlook: Evaluating the Los Angeles Lakers' 2025 offseason

For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We have already completed the Eastern Conference, so we will proceed in alphabetical order with the West before capping it all off with the Miami Heat. Today, we will be evaluating the Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason.

Past Previews:

Sept. 1: Atlanta Hawks
Sept. 2: Boston Ce l tics
Sept. 3: Brooklyn Nets
Sept. 4: Charlotte Hornets
Sept. 5: Chicago Bulls
Sept. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers
Sept. 7: Detroit Pistons
Sept. 8: Indiana Pacers
Sept. 9: Milwaukee Bucks
Sept. 10: New York Knicks
Sept. 11: Orlando Magic
Sept. 12: Philadelphia 76ers
Sept. 13: Toronto Raptors
Sept. 14: Washington Wizards
Sept. 15: Dallas Mavericks
Sept. 16: Denver Nuggets
Sept. 17: Golden State Warriors
Sept. 18: Houston Rockets
Sept. 19: Los Angeles Clippers

Evaluating the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 offseason:

Additions: Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton

Subtractions: Dorian Finney-Smith, Alex Len, Markieff Morris (free agent), Shake Milton (free agent), Jordan Goodwin, Trey Jemison

Re-signed: Luka Doncic, Jaxson Hayes, Christian Koloko

Draft: Adou Thiero (No. 36 overall)

Hanifan’s outlook: I have mixed feelings about the Lakers’ offseason.

We sit here seven-and-a-half months later, and I still can’t believe Nico Harrison gift-wrapped Luka Doncic to the Lakers like a teenager getting the newest video game system on Christmas Day. As a result, Lakers general manager Pelinka spent the summer prioritizing the Lakers’ short- and long-term future around Doncic.

The Lakers’ superstar reportedly recruited both Ayton and Smart to the organization after both were bought out by the Trail Blazers and Wizards, respectively. No team in the NBA needed a starting-caliber big more than the Lakers — making Ayton a premier target. I still have concerns about his fit — particularly defensively — though he should pair well with Doncic in the pick-and-roll.

Smart, on the other hand, has been oft-injured each of the last two seasons and isn’t getting any younger. I don’t think he’s been the same athletically since departing Boston and, if he’s going to continue to be a below-average 3-point shooter, I don’t see the Lakers as much of a fit. He adds toughness to their backcourt, but a part of me is dubious of how much juice he has left in the tank.

Even though he’s been sidelined for most of the summer, I love the value they got for Thiero. He’s a dawg. He’ll need to improve his shot, but he’s a super athletic defensive playmaker who’s a battering ram around the rim.