Brian Windhorst Claims Lakers Must Add 3–4 Key Players To Become Title Contenders

Brian Windhorst isn’t mincing words about the Los Angeles Lakers' current roster construction. Speaking on the state of the franchise after a disappointing first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the longtime NBA insider made it clear that this team is far from title contention.

“The Lakers are not one move away. They need to acquire two, three, or even four pieces to become a serious contender. And they don’t have a first-round draft pick this year. There is a lot of work to do.”

That’s not hyperbole. The Lakers’ glaring issues were on full display in their five-game loss to Minnesota. They struggled to protect the paint, got out-rebounded in crucial stretches, and lacked shot creation outside of LeBron James and Luka Doncic. 

The absence of a reliable big man was particularly costly. Against Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, the Lakers had no answer inside. Hayes, though athletic, is limited as a positional defender and rebounder, while Len was often unplayable in meaningful minutes.

LeBron James, now 40, is expected to decline his player option and re-sign on a new deal that includes another player option, his usual method of maintaining flexibility. That contract won't come cheap. Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith is reportedly unwilling to take a pay cut to stay with the team.

The Lakers currently have 12 players under contract for 2025–26, but their roster is far from balanced. They have some solid wing depth in Rui Hachimura and Finney-Smith, and the emergence of Dalton Knecht as a reliable shooter gives them hope. 

Perhaps the most pressing need remains at the center position. Windhorst acknowledged that adding a new center is important, but stressed that it’s not a cure-all. 

Indeed, if the Lakers want to return to serious contention, they’ll need to get aggressive. That could mean using Austin Reaves as a trade chip to bring in a younger third star or flipping Hachimura and picks for shooting and rim protection. 

With the Western Conference only getting more competitive, the Lakers can’t afford to waste another year of Luka’s prime or LeBron’s twilight. Windhorst’s message was simple: the Lakers must overhaul, not tweak, their roster.

The next few months will determine whether Rob Pelinka can pull off another masterstroke like last summer’s Luka trade or whether this era of Lakers basketball ends as a footnote instead of a chapter.