Following a narrow win over the Warriors, the Lakers’ front office came to a key realization. According to Cricket Exchange, if Los Angeles wants to counter small-ball lineups like Golden State’s and gain a true advantage, they must bring in bigger, more athletic players. No one remains unchanged forever, but staying true to your original purpose can steer you forward. While the Lakers have officially pulled out of trade talks involving D’Angelo Russell for Dejounte Murray, this doesn’t mean they’re backing away from roster upgrades altogether.

Sources confirm that GM Rob Pelinka has reignited trade discussions. The Lakers are reportedly offering Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, and Christian Wood in a potential deal to acquire Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton and forward Royce O’Neale. It’s clear the Lakers are prioritizing Claxton—a center known for his length, agility, and elite finishing ability. If paired with LeBron James, Claxton could become a perfect pick-and-roll partner, using his vertical spacing to dominate in the paint and pressure opposing defenses.

As Cricket Exchange points out, the Lakers are now recognizing that size still matters in the modern NBA. Attempts to chase a title with undersized lineups have proven ineffective. Last season’s overreliance on three-guard lineups led to consistent defensive breakdowns. This year, they’ve cut back on those rotations, which has helped them stay competitive against top-tier opponents. With the Timberwolves’ resurgence proving that a twin-tower frontcourt can still succeed, the Lakers have every reason to strengthen their interior presence immediately.

LeBron James, still the heart of this team at age 39, continues to defy expectations with his durability and dominance. While he occasionally faces stamina issues during the regular season, he has consistently delivered MVP-caliber performances when the stakes are high. But with no reliable third scoring option, the Lakers have hovered around the ninth or tenth seed in the West. It’s a situation they’re eager to change.

This is why multiple trade scenarios have been explored. However, James has grown cautious after the failed Westbrook experiment. Sources suggest that Kyrie Irving is the only player LeBron truly trusts to transform the Lakers. Their past chemistry from their Cavaliers championship run gives James full confidence in Irving’s ability to deliver in big moments. Irving has repeatedly proven that his one-on-one scoring can break any defense.

If Irving were to join the Lakers, he would form a lethal inside-outside trio with James and Anthony Davis, instantly addressing the team’s offensive shortcomings. Sometimes, the hardest thing is pretending not to care about what you want the most. But if the Mavericks agree to a deal, Cricket Exchange expects they’ll demand Jarred Vanderbilt in return. As one of the league’s best defenders, Vanderbilt could be the perfect complement to Luka Dončić, covering the defensive gaps and bringing toughness on the other end.

Whether it’s Claxton, Irving, or both, the Lakers are clearly looking to reshape their roster before time runs out. With LeBron still capable of carrying a contender, the front office knows the window won’t stay open forever—and now’s the time to make bold moves.