The Los Angeles Lakers, despite a recent rough stretch, are still in playoff contention though it’s clear the roster is missing a couple of pieces to vault them into the contender tier.
The Lakers are getting an MVP-caliber season out of Anthony Davis while LeBron James remains a constant on the offensive end, but it’s clear at this juncture of the 2024-25 season that the two stars could use more help. Injuries to Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood have depleted the team’s front court depth, while Jaxson Hayes is also expected to miss more time due to a sprained ankle.