Best Guard Targets for the Lakers in the 2025 Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again in offseason mode after a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While center remains a key positional need, the lack of reliable guard play — particularly at the point of attack — also played a major role in LA’s early departure.

Gabe Vincent couldn’t get consistent minutes throughout the playoffs — it was almost as if he didn’t hit every shot in the limited minutes he played, he would be taken out.

With LeBron James and Luka Dončić handling most of the playmaking duties, the Lakers don’t need a ball-dominant guard — they need someone who can defend, knock down open shots, and make smart decisions. Ideally, they’d find one who won’t break the bank or push them into dangerous tax territory.

Here are the best guard targets for the Lakers to consider this summer.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker on-ball defense on Luka Doncic pic.twitter.com/l7Z6PRRQPm

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 1, 2025

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (NAW): The Ideal Budget Fit

This would be a match made in heaven.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker isn’t a flashy name, but he might be the Lakers’ smartest and most cost-effective option in a guard market that’s thinner than usual.

While he’ll surely command a raise after a strong season with Minnesota, where he made $4.3 million this year, he won’t cost nearly as much as some of the higher-profile names.

What makes NAW special is his defensive impact. He ranked in the 96th percentile for Defensive Estimated Turnovers Forced (raDTOV), a stat that captures just how disruptive he is on the perimeter.

His ability to shave seconds off the shot clock by simply pestering opposing ball-handlers is something the Lakers sorely lacked this postseason.

He also brings length (6’5″) and versatility, capable of guarding ones and twos while spacing the floor on the other end. Once considered a raw scorer with upside, NAW has rounded out his game by improving as a shooter and a secondary playmaker.

At 26 years old, he’s entering his prime and fits both the Lakers’ short-term playoff timeline and long-term core. If LA wants to add a gritty, switchable combo guard without burning through assets or cap flexibility, this is the move.

Jrue Holiday: The Dream Target (But Unlikely)

Let’s be honest — this one’s a long shot. But it’s worth exploring.

Jrue Holiday is the ideal two-way guard for this team. He’s a proven playoff performer, a defensive menace, and has championship experience to back it up. He could take on the toughest backcourt assignment each night while seamlessly slotting next to both Luka and LeBron as a third playmaker.

That said, there are two major roadblocks: the Celtics and the CBA.

Boston just re-upped with Holiday, and since acquiring him, they haven’t lost a playoff series. Unless Brad Stevens truly believes he’s getting over on the Lakers, it’s hard to imagine Boston handing LA the very piece that could swing the balance of power in the West.

On top of that, the new second apron rules make life difficult. Boston is already flirting with second-apron penalties, which means if they want to avoid harsh restrictions (like losing trade exceptions, pick penalties, and aggregation limitations), Holiday’s contract — $67.2M guaranteed with a $37.2M player option — could be the piece they offload.

This opens a narrow window. A three-team deal could help grease the wheels — one molded around Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and/or potentially Jarred Vanderbilt.

The hometown factor helps, too. Holiday attended Campbell Hall in North Hollywood and played two seasons at UCLA. If there’s ever a time for a homecoming, this summer might be it. But until Boston signals they’re open for business, this remains more of a fantasy than a realistic path forward.

Ayo Dosunmu — A Young Combo Guard With Two-Way Potential

Dosunmu is another 26-year-old combo guard who can even run small forward at times — he could grow to potentially be an All-Star, that’s how gifted he is. He can be great for transition offense and defense. He’s a gritty defender at 6’4″ with a 6’10” wingspan. His defense isn’t quite on the level of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but he is a pest.

You have to pair Dosunmu with other defenders — it is a key difference that he performs well with an anchoring defense behind him to support his efforts, and the gravity isn’t as high on him. Shooting has also been a streaky part of his game. When Dosunmu’s on, he can get it going, but he’s a hesitant shooter.

If we can monitor his shot selection, we’ll have a dangerous two-way player on our hands for great value (making $7.5M this season). Making sure we get him to his spots and utilizing him where he best shoots, which is the top of the key (49%) and the right wing (45%), would maximize his play.

Most of his volume shots come from floaters and inside the paint, where he isn’t the most efficient, so that will also need some work. But we’ve seen the way JJ Redick has been able to utilize wings with poor touch around the rim, and I believe we can use Dosunmu the same — slashing from corners, which he also shoots a good volume from.

Chris Paul has started all 82 games for the first time in his career 👏 🔥

First player to play all games in season 20 or later 💪 pic.twitter.com/XdEpKaCcwI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2025

Chris Paul — Veteran Leadership and Elite Playmaking at the Vet Min

This is a long time coming — CP3 should’ve been a Laker 3–4 different times over, and we know the level of impact he brings to winning. Paul is the only player in NBA history to be part of four teams that set franchise records for wins in a season. He did it with the New Orleans Hornets, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets, and the Phoenix Suns.

The Spurs last season won 22 games. This year, they won 34 and dealt with severe injuries the entire season. His durability has been a concern in the past, but this year he redefined that, playing all 82 games at 39 years of age.

This signing would remind me a bit of Rondo back in 2018 — the mentorship role on the guys, paired with his longtime friend LeBron James and Luka Dončić, three of the greatest facilitators this game has ever seen. Paul also has a great relationship with Coach Redick, being teammates on the Lob City Clippers for 4 years. The clipboard wouldn’t have space on it — it would be filled with plays.

This move serves as a win-win: Paul deserves to compete for a ring one last time before a potential retirement alongside LeBron James, and it’d likely be a vet minimum signing for a Hall of Fame point guard that would potentially provide you eight assists per game.

Caris LeVert — Streaky Scoring with Underrated Defensive Upside

Caris LeVert has been a bona fide bucket-getter in the NBA since setting foot inside. He is a volume scorer who can be extremely streaky at times. His highs get really high, scoring a career-high 51 points.

LeVert is a very capable defender and knacks steals from passing lanes quite often. In terms of opponent field goal percentage defended this season, Alex Caruso has the lowest at 27.2%, followed by LeVert at 32%.

A concern you may have with LeVert is his frame — potentially a need to add more muscle, being 190 pounds at 6’6”. Going against large wings in the playoffs could physically alter his shots and impede his game. He does have a bit of an injury history — hands dealt with foot/ankle problems.

Surprisingly, with guards with high-volume scoring and not having a star role, it’s rare to find those with pass vision, but LeVert creates opportunities for others.

To wrap things up, I had honorable mentions like Marcus Smart, Keldon Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Malcolm Brogdon — all talented in their own right, but ultimately left off due to a mix of factors like large contracts, injury concerns, age, or some combination of the three.