The Los Angeles Lakers are currently holding a 14-12 record for the 2024-2025 NBA season, placing them firmly in the mix for a Play-In Tournament spot. However, their performance so far has been characterized by inconsistency, revealing that, despite some changes—most notably the shift in coaching—they are not significantly improved from last season. In fact, the team remains far from a championship contender, highlighting that the current roster still has several flaws that need to be addressed if they are to truly compete for a title.
At this stage of the season, many Lakers fans have largely shifted their focus away from the immediate results on the court. While the team’s win-loss record is important, fans have come to terms with the fact that this team, in its current form, is not equipped to compete at the highest level. Instead, they are looking toward the front office, hoping that General Manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ management will make the necessary moves to strengthen the roster and put the team in a better position to contend. Unfortunately, Pelinka has shown little urgency or interest in making significant trades or roster changes. While their Western Conference rivals, such as the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns, have been actively making moves to improve their rosters, the Lakers have remained stagnant, even when clear opportunities for improvement have presented themselves.
One of the most glaring missed opportunities came when the Golden State Warriors made a move to acquire former Lakers guard Dennis Schröder. The Warriors traded for Schröder, sending De’Anthony Melton (who is out for the season), Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets. The asking price for Schröder was relatively low, and it’s perplexing that the Lakers didn’t make a play to bring him back to Los Angeles, especially given the team’s pressing needs.
Schröder, who is currently on an expiring $13 million contract, would have been an easy acquisition for the Lakers. They could have offered up players like Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt, along with a few second-round picks—exactly the kind of package the Warriors used to bring Schröder back into the fold. This is particularly frustrating for the Lakers, considering how well they know Schröder’s game and the significant contributions he made to their success last season. During the 2022-2023 season, Schröder was a key figure in the Lakers’ run to the Western Conference Finals, proving himself as a versatile and dependable player on both ends of the floor. On defense, Schröder is known for his ability to guard multiple positions, and he is especially effective in defending the point of attack. Offensively, Schröder is one of the best drivers at his position, able to penetrate defenses, score in the paint, create plays for others, and provide solid outside shooting—skills that the Lakers desperately need.
This season, Schröder is playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Brooklyn Nets. His performance has been impressive, and the Warriors acted quickly to acquire him, recognizing that the Nets, who are in a rebuilding phase, were looking to offload veteran players and focus on their future. The Warriors saw Schröder as a valuable asset who could help them now, adding a skilled and experienced player to their rotation.
For the Lakers, the failure to act on this opportunity only adds to the frustration that many fans are feeling. If the Lakers had a more proactive and competent front office, they could have been the team making this trade, strengthening their roster with a player who could have made a meaningful impact. Instead, the Lakers seem content to stand pat, and with Pelinka in charge, it appears that moves like this will remain a pipe dream for the team. With the pressure mounting for the Lakers to improve their roster and make a serious push for contention, this missed opportunity serves as a reminder of the need for more decisive and strategic decision-making from the front office moving forward.
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