Lakers predicted to be top landing spot for $8.7 million 13.3 PPG star guard to become backup for Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves this offseason
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again being linked to backcourt help, with one $8.7 million guard who averaged around 13.3 points per game emerging as a projected top target to bolster their depth behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves this offseason.
The fit is straightforward from a roster-construction standpoint. The Lakers have prioritized perimeter creation and shooting around their stars, and this particular guard profiles as a proven scorer who can handle the ball, run second units, and slide off the ball alongside higher-usage playmakers. His combination of salary slot, production, and experience makes him a realistic target rather than a fantasy splash.
From the Lakers’ angle, adding a guard of this caliber would address multiple needs at once. Reaves has grown into a critical offensive hub, but the team still lacks consistent on-ball creation when he sits or is forced into a heavy scoring role. A reliable 13-point-per-game option who can initiate pick-and-rolls, knock down open threes, and competently defend either guard spot would ease that burden and stabilize the rotation.
The Luka Doncic angle highlights the league-wide trend of contenders stacking playable guards who can share the floor with a heliocentric star while also running the offense in staggered minutes. Whether in Dallas or Los Angeles, the concept is the same: a versatile combo guard who doesn’t need the ball every possession but can take over creation duties when necessary is one of the NBA’s most valuable mid-tier assets.
Financially, the $8.7 million range sits in a sweet spot. It’s substantial enough to secure a legitimate rotation player yet flexible enough to fit into various trade constructions or mid-level-type mechanisms, depending on how the market develops. For the player, landing in a marquee market with a clear role as a primary backup and occasional closing option is attractive.
As the offseason approaches, expect the Lakers to be mentioned prominently in connection with guards in this salary and production tier. This particular 13.3 PPG scorer checks nearly every box, which is why projections increasingly place Los Angeles at the front of the line.
The fit is straightforward from a roster-construction standpoint. The Lakers have prioritized perimeter creation and shooting around their stars, and this particular guard profiles as a proven scorer who can handle the ball, run second units, and slide off the ball alongside higher-usage playmakers. His combination of salary slot, production, and experience makes him a realistic target rather than a fantasy splash.
From the Lakers’ angle, adding a guard of this caliber would address multiple needs at once. Reaves has grown into a critical offensive hub, but the team still lacks consistent on-ball creation when he sits or is forced into a heavy scoring role. A reliable 13-point-per-game option who can initiate pick-and-rolls, knock down open threes, and competently defend either guard spot would ease that burden and stabilize the rotation.
The Luka Doncic angle highlights the league-wide trend of contenders stacking playable guards who can share the floor with a heliocentric star while also running the offense in staggered minutes. Whether in Dallas or Los Angeles, the concept is the same: a versatile combo guard who doesn’t need the ball every possession but can take over creation duties when necessary is one of the NBA’s most valuable mid-tier assets.
Financially, the $8.7 million range sits in a sweet spot. It’s substantial enough to secure a legitimate rotation player yet flexible enough to fit into various trade constructions or mid-level-type mechanisms, depending on how the market develops. For the player, landing in a marquee market with a clear role as a primary backup and occasional closing option is attractive.
As the offseason approaches, expect the Lakers to be mentioned prominently in connection with guards in this salary and production tier. This particular 13.3 PPG scorer checks nearly every box, which is why projections increasingly place Los Angeles at the front of the line.
