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Insider Names 5 Options To Fix Los Angeles Lakers Feeble Bench

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 3:20 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers head into the 2025 offseason facing one of their most pivotal summers in recent memory. With 40-year-old LeBron James expected to return, and newly acquired superstar Luka Dončić entering his first full season in L.A., the franchise is under pressure to retool a roster that was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs despite a strong 50-32 regular season.

Los Angeles Lakers Eye Under-the-Radar Additions Amid Offseason Roster Reshuffle

While the Lakers have been loosely linked to big names, including Chris Paul and Lonzo Ball, much of their activity could revolve around adding depth through smaller, strategic moves. According to Lakers insider Khobi Price, the team is monitoring a group of lesser-known but potentially impactful free agents: Luke Kornet, Tre Jones, Dante Exum, Amir Coffey, and Larry Nance Jr.

Kornet, a 7-footer who backed up Kristaps Porziņģis in Boston, averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and a block per game. While not a game-changer, his size and defensive presence would be a welcome addition to a Lakers rotation that lacked consistency behind Anthony Davis.

Insider Names 5 Options To Fix Los Angeles Lakers Feeble Bench 1 Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Tre Jones is a steady option at point guard. After a midseason move from San Antonio to Chicago, he posted 11.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. He’s not a high-volume scorer, but he could provide solid minutes as a secondary playmaker behind Dončić.

Exum, on the other hand, is the ultimate wild card. The Australian guard showed flashes of his former promise in Dallas, averaging 8.7 points in limited action. But injury issues — he appeared in just 20 games — raise red flags. As the saying goes, availability is the best ability, and Exum hasn’t had much of it since 2017.

Amir Coffey could offer versatility on the wing. He started the season strong with the Clippers before a knee injury sidelined him, and the rotation shifted without him. Still, his two-way skill set makes him a low-risk, high-upside target.

Then there’s Larry Nance Jr., a familiar face in L.A. and arguably the most intriguing option on this list. Now with a reliable outside shot and experience at both forward spots, Nance could slot in as a small-ball center or stretch four.

With limited cap flexibility and only a few players entering free agency — including Jaxson Hayes, and LeBron himself, who holds a player option — the Lakers are positioned to tinker more than overhaul. But every rotation spot matters when you’re trying to win with a generational talent nearing the end and a new franchise cornerstone just getting started.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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