The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to face considerable pressure to make roster improvements this offseason. While there is a general expectation to do so each summer, Luka Doncic’s recent comments may be a catalyst for the front office to pull the trigger on some meaningful moves.
It has become abundantly clear that Luka Doncic expects the Lakers to create a roster that can contend for the NBA title next season. However, according to a recent update by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on the “Mason & Ireland Show,” the Purple and Gold’s offseason targets may not be considered exciting at first glance.
“The Lakers are looking for younger players that have high upside that they believe in,” Shelburne reported. “And I think there’s some names out there that may not seem very sexy or exciting to Laker fans, but these are players that would fit in their system, that can grow, that could be available. It’s not being cheap; it’s being smart in terms of roster building.”
The decision to go younger in this context seems justified. When gauging the rosters of the title-contending teams over the last few years, it becomes abundantly clear that youth has been a critical factor for success, at least during the regular season.
At 27, Luka Doncic doesn’t necessarily qualify as a young player anymore. But surrounding the superstar with talented young players who have the potential to grow as contributors and role players could be vital in building a championship core.
Lakers Could Be Eyeing Two New Targets
For the most part, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with some major names in free agency this summer. From the likes of Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler to Daniel Gafford, the Purple and Gold have typically shown an interest in some heavy hitters.
However, in accordance with Ramona Shelburne’s report, the Lakers could be setting their sights on some new targets. To that point, Shelburne also made a keen observation about some players who could be on the Lakers’ radar this summer. When specifically referring to the team’s need for a center, she noted:
“On the center market, you know, do you go after the there’s a guy in Toronto, Sandro (Mamukelashvili). There’s a guy like Jalen Smith in Chicago, or Isaiah Stewart. You get somebody like these types of guys who are young, they fit the right salary profile, they fit the right age profile. So, you don’t have to get into this restricted free agency stuff.”
Among the three players Shelburne mentioned, Isaiah Stewart has already generated some intrigue as a potential trade target. In the context of bench upgrades, however, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jalen Smith could be far more interesting.
Mamukelashvili has positioned himself as a strong center with terrific floor-spacing ability. The 27-year-old big man averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range last season with the Toronto Raptors.
Although he is undersized (6’9″), Mamukelashvili was an immensely reliable presence off the bench for the Raptors. He currently has the right to exercise his $2.8 million player option with Toronto for the 2026-27 season, but he could decline this and test free agency in pursuit of a larger, more lucrative deal.
Chicago’s Jalen Smith could also be an interesting alternative for Los Angeles. As an athletic big man, the 26-year-old possesses the traits to be a solid lob threat when paired with Doncic in pick-and-roll sets.
Last season, Smith posted 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range.
As a versatile offensive threat, Smith has the potential to be a key rotation player for the Lakers. Unlike Mamukelashvili, however, Smith is in the final year of his contract ($9.4 million), suggesting that the Purple and Gold may have to trigger a trade for him.
Both Mamukelashvili and Smith have upside, which is largely positive as the Lakers broaden their search for roster upgrades this summer. Although neither necessarily generates much enthusiasm at first glance, there may be merit in banking on how reliable they were for their respective teams last season.
