According to NBA Insider Keith Smith, only three teams have yet to make a single free agent signing or trade acquisition this offseason: the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Any new players for these teams were acquired via the draft or two-way signings.
For the Lakers, the roster changes have been minimal. They added Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick, and Bronny James, the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince are the only players who have left the team. This near-unchanged roster reflects a significant bet on continuity despite not being seen as a top contender last season.
The Celtics' decision to maintain their roster is understandable. They are coming off an NBA title with a young, highly talented squad. Keeping their championship-winning team intact makes sense as they aim to defend their title and build on their historic season.
Similarly, the Cavaliers have opted for stability. They made a significant coaching change by replacing J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson but otherwise kept their roster intact. With a strong team led by recently re-signed Donovan Mitchell, they are positioned as one of the top teams in the East. Their focus has been on internal development and maintaining the core that has shown great promise.
The Lakers' approach, however, raises questions. While they have a solid star duo in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are currently excelling for Team USA, their supporting cast is less certain.
The Lakers have been a perennial play-in team, and many expected them to make moves to bolster their roster further. The lack of significant acquisitions suggests confidence in their existing lineup, but it also highlights potential vulnerabilities.
LeBron and Davis have been standout performers in the exhibition games for Team USA, indicating they are still among the best players in the league. However, the supporting cast around them remains a concern.
The Lakers have also made a coaching change, with Darvin Ham and the entire coaching staff leaving and JJ Redick and others coming in. This coaching overhaul might bring fresh strategies and a new dynamic to the team.
Adding to the challenge, the Lakers are only $45,000 below the second apron, a threshold that NBA teams are desperately trying to avoid due to its restrictive financial implications. This constraint limits their ability to make significant roster moves without exceeding the second apron, complicating efforts to improve the team.
However, opportunities still exist, such as acquiring a superstar like Trae Young while managing to stay below the second apron. Overall, the Lakers' decision to stick with their current roster could be seen as a gamble. While their stars are performing at a high level, the rest of the team needs to step up to elevate them from play-in contenders to legitimate championship threats.