Lakers face familiar deadline question: Is this roster good enough?

The Lakers are running out of runway to pretend this roster is finished.

That’s the sense around the league as the trade deadline approaches, and it’s why rival executives are circling Los Angeles as a team to watch, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

On paper, the Lakers at least have tools. Roughly $40 million in expiring contracts between Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber gives them flexibility. Add in either a 2031 or 2032 first-round pick, and suddenly L.A. has something to talk about in trade discussions.

The question is whether it’s enough to land what they actually need.

Austin Reaves’ eventual return will help. That’s not nothing. But this roster still lacks dependable two-way wing play, the kind that holds up in April and May. That gap has shown up repeatedly against top competition.

The Lakers don’t need a splash for the sake of it. They need a fit. And if they’re serious about maximizing this window around Luka Doncic, standing pat may not be an option.

The pieces are there. Whether the move is, remains to be seen.