The Los Angeles Lakers must focus this summer on bolstering a roster that fell short in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
With Luka Dončić now leading the Lake Show alongside LeBron James, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka will aim to address critical roster gaps this offseason, particularly at center and in perimeter defense.
One intriguing option is to pursue a veteran’s minimum contract signing to add depth and versatility without breaking the bank. A potential target for such a deal is a former All-Star whose defensive prowess and playmaking could complement the Lakers’ star-heavy lineup, provided he can stay healthy.
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The Lakers’ financial situation is precarious, with approximately $189.2 million committed to 11 players for the 2025-26 season, pushing them over the projected luxury tax line of $187.9 million and approaching the projected second apron of $207.8 million (projections per The Athletic's Danny Leroux).
Key contracts include Dončić ($45.9 million), James ($52.6 million, assuming he opts in or re-signs), and Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million).
With limited cap flexibility, the Lakers can likely only access the taxpayer mid-level exception or veteran’s minimum contracts to fill out their roster. Trading players like Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt could create room, but such moves would likely cost draft capital, a scarce resource after trades for Dončić and others. A veteran’s minimum deal, costing around $1.1 million against the cap for a player with seven years of experience, offers a low-risk way to add talent.
One candidate is Ben Simmons, whose defensive versatility and playmaking could address the Lakers’ need for a bench facilitator and wing defender. Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, was a standout early in his career, earning three All-Star nods and an All-NBA selection in 2021.
His ability to guard multiple positions and average 7.4 assists per game made him a cornerstone for the 76ers. However, injuries and off-court challenges have derailed his career. Since his 2021 trade demand and subsequent move to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons has played only 365 games over seven seasons, a stark contrast to his early promise. His reluctance to shoot and injury-related absences have labeled him a disappointment despite his elite defensive and passing skills.
In the 2024-25 season, Simmons signed with the LA Clippers on a veteran’s minimum contract ($1.1 million) after a buyout from the Nets, where he earned $40.3 million in the final year of his five-year, $177 million extension.
In 18 games with the Clippers, Simmons averaged a modest 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16 minutes per game, showing flashes of defensive toughness but struggling offensively, particularly in a playoff series against Denver, where he saw limited minutes.
For the Lakers, signing Simmons to a veteran’s minimum deal could be a gamble worth taking. His defensive fit could deepen the roster—if he can stay on the court.
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