Los Angeles is targeting two free agency options to shore up a frontcourt that came up short in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers beat Houston in the first round before getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
With Luka Doncic sidelined for the entire postseason due to a hamstring injury, the frontcourt was exposed as both Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes were physically overmatched against the Thunder, and those problems are now pushing the front office toward a pair of veteran free agents who could help.
Wade Brings Versatility
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, "Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade is expected to have various suitors in free agency, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told HoopsHype."
The 29-year-old spent all seven of his NBA seasons in Cleveland, where he appeared in 59 games this past year and put up 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three.
At 6-foot-9, he is the type of 3-and-D forward the Lakers need as they try to build a more switchable lineup around Doncic and Austin Reaves, who just signed a four-year, $185 million extension.
Wade is not a flashy player, but his ability to guard multiple positions and space the floor makes him a natural fit alongside Anthony Davis.
Landale Offers a Stretch-Five Option
Scotto also reported that "Landale, 30, is expected to have a strong market, including interest from the Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype. Expect the Australian center to command offers north of the bi-annual exception in free agency."
The 6-foot-11 center posted career highs across the board in 2025-26, averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three across stops with Memphis and Atlanta.
His ability to stretch the floor from the center spot would give the Lakers something they lacked in the postseason, where the paint was crowded whenever a non-shooting big was on the floor.
What It All Means for the Offseason
Neither signing would be a blockbuster on its own, but together they would address two of the biggest issues that surfaced during the playoff exit.
Rui Hachimura is already drawing interest from several teams as an unrestricted free agent, and losing his 44-percent three-point shooting without a replacement would leave a tough hole to fill.
Wade could step into a similar role as a floor-spacing forward while Landale would give the team a reliable backup center who actually works next to its stars.
With LeBron James' own free agency still up in the air and several roster decisions still in play, the front office will need to move quickly once the market opens on July 1.
