Best Forward Targets for the Lakers in the 2025 Offseason
Lakers’ Offseason Begins Now
The Lakers’ season unceremoniously ended short of the Larry O’Brien yet again as they fell 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While this season provided true pillars moving forward in Redick and Doncic, as Pelinka alluded to in their season-ending press conference, “Any season we don’t do that [raising a banner], we’ve fallen short of our ultimate goal here.”
Now that the offseason is here, what needs to be fixed? Redick, Pelinka, and any Lakers fan with working eyesight know that the most essential need is a center. The lack of rebounding and defense down on the block was abysmal with our current group.
While yes, a talented center would alleviate those issues, why not surround said center with even more help? With Luka Doncic joining the team, the Lakers now have to look at free agents and trade targets in a whole new light. It’s no longer a question of whether this player will fit with LeBron and Anthony Davis, but how can this player maximize Doncic to the best of his abilities?
In his time in Dallas, talented centers certainly helped Doncic play to the best of his abilities. So did forwards. These are some of the forwards the Lakers could look to take a swing at this summer.
Bobby Portis – Culture Setter
’24-25 Stats: 49 GP, 25.4 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 0.5 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 47|37|84 Splits
During the successful Giannis era in Milwaukee, he’s had his share of sidekicks, whether it’s been Middleton, Lillard, or his own brother. One often unsung hero throughout that time has been power forward Bobby Portis.
Portis has been a model of consistency for Milwaukee. He’s been described as the perfect role player to have on a contending team. He provides not only what’s needed basketball-wise but also the toughness that any contender needs come the playoffs.
He is a modernized big who can shoot when needed, but can get a little trigger-happy at times, forgoing better looks. Portis is also one of the more gifted rollers out of the P&R of anybody in the league, a trait that would mesh well with Luka’s playmaking abilities.
Most points per possession as the roll man on PnRs this season (min. 75 FGA)
1.32 – Jarrett Allen
1.30 – Onyeka Okongwu
1.29 – Jokic
1.27 – Porzingis
1.25 -KAT
1.25 – Jalen Smith
1.23 – Bobby Portis
1.23 – Sabonis
1.23 – AD
1.22 – Ke’lel Ware
1.22 – Jakob Poeltl pic.twitter.com/sEgbCUc5Qw— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) April 4, 2025
On the other end of the floor, he can be rather average at times. While he provides a large frame, he isn’t able to keep up often with the league’s elite wings.
One quality redeems his flaws, however: his rebounding. Portis ranks 4th among all forwards in the league in rebounding and averages the most rebounds of any target on this list.
Portis would need to opt out of his player option to enter free agency, but hearing “Bobby – Bobby – Bobby” echoing throughout Crypto.com Arena following tremendous hustle plays would certainly not be the worst thing to hear.
Chris Boucher – Long Shot Blocker
’24-25 Stats: 50 GP, 17.2 MPG, 10 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.5 BPG & SPG, 49|36|78 Splits
Chris Boucher is one of the more intriguing names on this list. The talent is undoubtedly there, but you do wonder why he wouldn’t get much playing time, especially in a place like Toronto.
While he may not have played a ton of minutes, what he’s done in that time has been very impressive. Boucher’s Per/36 statistics are 21 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and a block per game. Boucher has also been second, only to another member of this list, since 2020, in most double-doubles recorded off the bench.
Most double-doubles off the bench since 2020:
55 –– Bobby Portis
34 –– Chris Boucher
25 –– Montrezl Harrell
23 –– Russell Westbrook
21 –– Kevin Love
21 –– Onyeka Okongwu
21 –– Dwight Howard
20 –– Andre DrummondA quick reminder of Bobby’s impact for those who need it. pic.twitter.com/Plz0TAv84p
— BucksRealm (@BucksRealm) March 20, 2025
Boucher, while tall and long, only comes in at about 200 lbs. His length grants him both skill and leeway on the defensive end as he’s turned himself into a solid shot blocker. Personally, after watching Jaxson Hayes, I’ll be wary of any wings/bigs under 250 lbs.
His ability to block shots, set screens, and rim run would certainly work with Luka, and he would definitely be a solid depth piece. I would just rather see the team emphasize strength over height, as we witnessed a stronger team simply dominate the Lakers in round one.
Guerschon Yabusele – Low Risk High Reward
’24-25 Stats: 70 GP, 27.1 MPG, 11 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 50|38|73 Splits
Since bursting back onto the scene in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Guerschon Yabusele has shown why he belongs.
Guerschon Yabusele put up a MONSTER slam on LeBron James 😱
(🎥: @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/LzuZySxkEl
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) August 10, 2024
The 6’8 265 lb forward had to take some time to recoup his value overseas after being released by the Celtics in 2019. In 2016, believe it or not, he was actually Boston’s first-round pick, and 16th pick overall in the NBA Draft.
In his time with Philadelphia, he exceeded personal expectations on a team that far underperformed its own. Yabusele carved out a nice niche on the team as someone who could not only do it all but also work harder than everyone else on the floor while doing it.
Largely due to the multiple injuries the team suffered all season long, Yabusele was able to get more minutes and opportunities than anybody probably expected. He specifically found success using his large frame on the offensive glass this season.
One trait he carries that is always welcome on championship contenders is his malleability. Yabusele has been praised by teammates and coaching staff alike for his ability to do whatever is necessary. This season, he came off the bench, started, and played anywhere from 3 to 5.
The ability to provide whatever the team needs, whether it benefits you personally or not, is a trait that championship role players contain. It would be an absolute steal if the Lakers could secure Yabusele on a minimum contract.
PJ Washington – The Dallas Lakers
’24-25 Stats: 57 GP, 32.2 MPG, 14.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 BPG & SPG 45|38|72 Splits
It would behoove the Lakers to make Luka as comfortable as possible in his new home following last season’s emotional trade. They already had one of his favorite teammates in Dorian Finney-Smith; adding more would only make sense.
Since arriving in Dallas, PJ Washington has instantly infused their team as a 3&D wing, adding toughness on both ends of the floor.
He really can do it all on the court. He can catch and shoot, set devastating screens, and is one of the stronger finishers around the rim in the league. On the defensive end of the court, he constantly shows the same intensity, happy to do the dirty work.
There is not much to say about Washington’s fit, considering we’ve already seen the proof of concept with Doncic in Dallas. Washington is the only player on this list who would need to be acquired via trade, and after the reaction to the last deal between the two teams, I’m not sure they’d be as quick to send him over.
JOHN COLLINS – DREAM FA SIGNING
’24-25 Stats: 40 GP, 30.5 MPG, 19 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2 APG, 1 BPG & SPG 53|40|85 Splits
If the Lakers could find a way to sign Collins in FA, things would be exciting in LA. A high-flying tone setter like Collins would certainly help add the size and edge LA lacked in their first-round series.
The eighth-year forward just wrapped up his second season in Utah after playing his first six seasons in Atlanta. During his time in the league, his tremendous leaping and dunking ability may have distracted from his true talent.
John Collins shot 41% on jumpers this season and 39% on three-point jumpers
Do you buy into John Collins being a legit shooting threat? pic.twitter.com/WLqhQv9yEz
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) May 4, 2025
Collins stacks up against many of the most talented forwards in the league. His three-point percentage was higher than that of players like Michael Porter Jr, Cam Johnson, and Pascal Siakam. His defensive versatility rating via CraftedNBA was also higher than that of players like Amen Thompson, Jayden McDaniels, and OG Anunoby.
Collins’ blocks per game even matched the reigning DPOY, Evan Mobley.
A player like that being added to the roster would help almost any team in the league. He would specifically work in LA for many reasons.
Collins’ size and rebounding ability would quickly help a Lakers team that struggled in both categories. Outside of that, his play would specifically pair nicely with LA’s newest star. Collins’s ability to run the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop would work wonders with Luka, giving him a much-needed lob threat that can also knock down timely threes when asked.
Regardless of who the Lakers add, they should follow a rough blueprint. Size, defensive capabilities, and a semblance of three-point shooting must be at the forefront of the search. Hopefully, the search will bear fruit and the team will be much better suited to help Luka reach MVP heights.
