The Los Angeles Lakers season came to an end at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who swept the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs. 

The Lakers finished third in the West and got past the Houston Rockets in six games in the first round, but were overmatched by the Thunder in round two. 

The season for the Lakers was largely derailed on the second day of April when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered injuries that put them out for the rest of the regular season. 

Reaves was able to return late in the first round, but Doncic was out for the entire playoffs. After finding a rhythm in March where Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James were healthy and the team lost just two games, fans never got to see what that trio could look like when the pressure was on. 

So, what do the Lakers need to do to get back to championship contention?

LeBron proved that he can take a backseat to Doncic and Reaves with how he played in March. 

The trio had a 124.2 offensive rating and a 105.8 defensive rating in the month of March. Compare that to their 107.9 offensive rating and 117.5 defensive rating prior to the All-Star break. 

LeBron adjusted to Doncic and Reaves, found his role as the third option, and the Lakers look like viable contenders. Bringing back LeBron for potentially one final season has a lot of benefits, but the biggest is that he's familiar with the team, the system, and his role. 

The Lakers have been linked to Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks, who was successful alongside Doncic in the Mavs run to the finals in 2025. 

If it's not Gafford, it needs to be a player like Gafford. 

A low maintance center who is going to protect the rim on one end and run to the rim on the other end. Deandre Ayton put up good numbers, but he wasn't the type of player who fit beside Doncic, Reaves, and James because his defensive effort lacked consistency and he wanted more touches than just lobs and offensive rebounds. 

Doncic, Reaves, and James are the offense. A center that can clean things up and make life easier on those three on both ends is very much needed. 

The Lakers won't have much money to work with, but there could be some low-cost free agents for them to target who fit the bill. 

Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr are both unrestricted free agents. Lu Dort is a potential trade candidate who won't cost the Lakers much, but they could easily be outbid for his services. 

Retaining Marcus Smart, who has a player option, is the easiest path for the Lakers here.