Lakers eye De'Anthony Melton in free agency as Rob Pelinka weighs next move in pivotal offseason

As teams across the NBA prepare to reshape their rosters for another title chase, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves facing critical offseason decisions. And one of the names now being floated as a potential addition is former Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton.

Despite only playing in 44 games over the past two seasons due to injury-including a recent ACL recovery-Melton is gaining traction as a low-risk, high-upside option in free agency. Anthony Slater of The Athletic highlighted Melton as a strong candidate for teams looking to add talent on a veteran minimum deal, and the Lakers could be in that conversation.

Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha mentioned Melton on a recent podcast episode, hinting at interest from Los Angeles. A native of L.A., Melton would be a sentimental fit, but the basketball logic is more complicated. With LeBron James and Luka Doni anchoring the roster, finding consistent playing time-and a role big enough to rebuild his long-term value-could prove challenging for Melton.

That matters because Melton, still just 26, is at a pivotal point in his career. After g a short-term "prove-it" deal with Golden State, he's aiming to demonstrate that he's still the impactful two-way guard teams valued in Memphis and Philadelphia. For a player looking to re-establish his market value, fit and opportunity could outweigh legacy or geography.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are still reeling from their abrupt playoff exit. The Minnesota Timberwolves bounced L.A. in just five games in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, leaving fans frustrated and sparking tough questions for the front office. General Manager Rob Pelinka now faces the enormous task of building a true contender around an aging LeBron and the newly acquired Doni.

It's clear that the Lakers can't lean solely on star power-they need role players who can complement their core, offer defensive consistency, and step up when injuries strike. That's exactly the mold Melton fits when healthy.

Austin Reaves becomes a key offseason trade chip

One name firmly planted in offseason trade discussions is guard Austin Reaves. The undrafted standout had a breakout season in 2024-25, proving he can thrive in a ing role alongside superstars. Over 73 games, Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals, shooting 46 percent from the floor and nearly 38 percent from deep.

Those numbers-especially his ability to play off the ball, create offense, and defend multiple positions-have made him one of the Lakers' most valuable assets. But with L.A. likely needing to shed salary or make space for upgrades, Reaves' rising stock could tempt teams to make serious offers.