Lakers Continue Aggressive Roster Overhaul by Landing Ayton, Smart, Hayes as Frontcourt Remains in Focus for Final Offseason Moves
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again commanding the NBA offseason spotlight, pushing forward with a bold and aggressive strategy to reshape their roster around their championship ambitions. With several high-impact moves already in the books—including the acquisition of former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, the signing of veteran guard Marcus Smart after a buyout, and the re-signing of athletic big man Jaxson Hayes—the Lakers are clearly not content to stand pat. And according to league insiders, they might not be finished yet. As the front office continues exploring ways to maximize roster balance and playoff readiness, the frontcourt remains a point of emphasis heading into the final stretch of the offseason.
For a franchise with a long and storied history of reinvention, this summer has taken on a particularly calculated urgency. The Lakers are firmly in win-now mode. LeBron James, entering his 22nd season and defying time with remarkable consistency, remains the centerpiece of their championship hopes. Anthony Davis, still one of the most dominant two-way forces in the game when healthy, is locked in as the defensive anchor and interior force. But beyond that dynamic duo, the Lakers have had to confront the harsh reality that depth, versatility, and reliability have eluded them at key moments over the past few seasons.
That’s where the new arrivals come into play. Deandre Ayton is the crown jewel of the Lakers’ offseason thus far. Still just 27, the former Phoenix Suns center brings an intriguing mix of youth, size, and playoff experience to the Lakers’ frontcourt. His ability to score around the rim, rebound, and protect the paint gives the Lakers a legitimate third option alongside LeBron and AD. But Ayton’s arrival also signals a philosophical shift in how the Lakers want to approach matchups—moving away from small-ball experimentation toward a more traditional interior presence.
While Ayton’s fit next to Davis raised questions initially, the Lakers believe the pairing could be formidable. Davis has long preferred to operate as a power forward rather than a full-time center, and Ayton’s presence could allow him to do just that. By absorbing some of the physical toll inside the paint, Ayton frees Davis to focus more on help-side defense, shot-blocking, and off-ball coverage—where he’s arguably at his most destructive. Offensively, Ayton doesn’t require post touches to be effective. His ability to operate in pick-and-roll sets, finish lobs, and crash the offensive glass meshes well with a Lakers team that needs complementary scoring without disrupting its established hierarchy.
The Lakers didn’t stop with Ayton. The surprising signing of Marcus Smart after a buyout drew significant attention across the league. A former Defensive Player of the Year and beloved locker-room leader, Smart brings a level of intensity, toughness, and experience that any contender craves. Though technically a guard, Smart’s arrival has frontcourt implications. His ability to switch onto wings and even smaller forwards provides the Lakers with enhanced lineup flexibility, allowing them to mix and match defensive schemes without sacrificing tenacity on the perimeter.
Smart also helps stabilize the Lakers’ backcourt rotation, something that was sorely needed in recent playoff runs. His playmaking, defensive communication, and clutch shot-making will be invaluable in high-pressure moments. More importantly, his presence gives LeBron more off-ball opportunities—an adjustment that could help manage the King’s workload throughout the regular season. Smart’s willingness to do the dirty work and his championship pedigree with Boston align perfectly with the culture the Lakers want to reinforce.
Re-signing Jaxson Hayes adds another layer to the Lakers’ frontcourt equation. Hayes, who showed flashes of his rim-running, shot-blocking potential last season, returns to give the Lakers an athletic, high-energy big off the bench. While not a starter, his value lies in his ability to change the pace of games with hustle plays, vertical spacing, and transition defense. In spurts, Hayes can serve as a disruptive force, particularly when paired with second-unit lineups that emphasize speed and ball movement.
Taken together, these moves already represent a major retooling. But there’s a growing belief within NBA circles that the Lakers are still surveying the market for one final frontcourt addition. Whether that means acquiring another veteran stretch big, adding a versatile defensive wing with size, or finding a hybrid forward who can toggle between lineups, the front office seems intent on covering every base. The rationale is simple: with the Western Conference as loaded as ever, the Lakers cannot afford to have a single weak link—especially in the playoffs.
The Nuggets, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Thunder, and Clippers all bring unique matchup challenges, and the Lakers know they’ll need a combination of length, mobility, and physicality to counter them effectively. Last year’s postseason exposed some of their limitations when Anthony Davis had to shoulder the lion’s share of defensive responsibilities in the paint. Fatigue set in, rotations faltered, and the Lakers’ supporting cast failed to rise to the occasion. This time, they want to be ready with multiple solutions.
Deandre Ayton might be one such solution, but depth is key. Injuries are always a factor in an 82-game season, and the Lakers are no strangers to lineup instability. Adding another frontcourt player—preferably one who can shoot and defend multiple positions—would not only protect against injury but also enhance the team’s ability to adapt to different playoff series. The front office has reportedly explored conversations with teams looking to shed salary, as well as monitoring the buyout and overseas markets. No names have emerged yet, but the expectation is that the Lakers will strike if the right opportunity arises.
There’s also the development angle to consider. The Lakers have brought in several promising young players this offseason, including Arthur Kaluma, Eric Dixon, and RJ Davis. While they are more likely to see minutes in lower-stakes situations or with the South Bay Lakers, it’s clear that the organization is trying to bridge the gap between competing now and building a sustainable roster for the future. If any of these young forwards prove ready sooner than expected, they could find themselves contributing in spot minutes—especially during the dog days of the regular season.
LeBron James has voiced support for the offseason moves publicly, signaling that he approves of the direction the front office is taking. His buy-in is critical—not just because of his star power, but because his ability to mentor and lead a younger, more dynamic roster could be the X-factor in unlocking this team’s full potential. He has always thrived with smart, tough, unselfish players around him, and the Lakers’ recent acquisitions fit that mold.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis appears poised to take on more leadership himself. After an All-NBA season, Davis seems ready to embrace a new level of consistency. The Lakers are counting on his presence as the tone-setter on defense and a focal point on offense. With Ayton beside him and Smart on the perimeter, Davis might finally have the support system that allows him to stay healthy and dominate over a full season.
The Lakers’ coaching staff, led by Darvin Ham, now faces the task of blending all these new pieces into a coherent system. Lineup experimentation will be a theme early in the season. Can Ayton and Davis share the floor for extended stretches? Will Smart start or come off the bench? How do Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt fit into the frontcourt puzzle? These questions will be answered in training camp and the early regular season, but the potential is certainly there.
Offensively, the Lakers are expected to lean more heavily into a high-tempo, transition-oriented attack. With Smart’s ball pressure, Hayes’ rim running, and Ayton’s mobility, the Lakers could become one of the more dynamic fast-break teams in the league. In the halfcourt, Smart’s decision-making and Ayton’s interior gravity should help space the floor for LeBron’s drives and Davis’ midrange game.
Defensively, the team now has the personnel to switch more comfortably, clog passing lanes, and protect the rim. Smart’s leadership on defense could be transformative, and Ayton’s ability to handle post duties allows Davis to freelance and wreak havoc off the ball. If everyone buys in and stays healthy, the Lakers could evolve into a top-five defense—a goal that would significantly boost their title aspirations.
In a Western Conference where every edge matters, the Lakers’ ability to be both bigger and faster could be the key to overcoming teams like Denver, who have controlled the paint in recent matchups. And while questions still linger about spacing, shooting consistency, and health, the foundation laid by this offseason’s moves gives the Lakers a real shot at making another deep postseason run.
As July turns into August and training camp nears, the Lakers may still have one more surprise up their sleeve. But even if no more moves are made, the message has been sent: Los Angeles is not backing down from the challenge. They’ve added youth, experience, size, and grit. They’ve addressed weaknesses and doubled down on their strengths. And with LeBron James still chasing greatness, Anthony Davis anchoring the paint, and new pieces like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart ready to contribute, the Lakers are once again poised to be a major force in the NBA title race.
