With the NBA playoffs quickly approaching, don’t be surprised if these seven Lakers are getting ready to experience their last postseason in L.A.
The 2024-25 NBA playoffs will begin in less than two weeks, and the Los Angeles Lakers already look like one of this spring’s top contenders.
Head coach JJ Redick has done a tremendous job of transforming the Lakers into a Western Conference powerhouse, putting them in a great spot this week to potentially clinch home-court advantage for the postseason’s opening round.
Even though there’s plenty of basketball left to be played, some Lakers fans are already looking ahead to the NBA offseason.
It won’t be much longer until the trade scene heats up and free agency begins, meaning certain Los Angeles players might be playing with the franchise on borrowed time.
With that in mind, here are seven Lakers who are experiencing their final playoff push in Los Angeles.
1. Dalton Knecht, SF/SG
The 2024-25 NBA season has been a mixed bag for Dalton Knecht.
The former Tennessee Volunteer quickly became a fan favorite after being drafted 17th overall last year, leading to Lakers fans hoping that Redick’s sharpshooting experience would rub off on the rookie wing.
Although things looked promising early on, the sunshine and rainbows quickly disappeared before the trade deadline.
The Lakers had agreed to a deal that would’ve sent Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets, however, center Mark Williams’ failed physical prevented the trade from happening. Needless to say, things were awkward between Knecht and the team for a bit.
As time has passed, it’s become increasingly clear that the Lakers are no longer as high on Knecht as they once were. He’s only averaging 7.9 minutes of action in his last eight outings after playing twice or even three times that amount earlier in the year, meaning he likely won’t have a significant role come the playoffs.
After trying to trade him two months ago, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Lakers tried to trade Knecht again this offseason. The failed trade may have left their relationship beyond repair, so it might be best to give both sides a fresh start this summer.
2. Gabe Vincent, PG/SG
It isn’t a secret that Lakers fans haven’t been impressed with Gabe Vincent’s performance after signing a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason.
The veteran guard’s struggles in Year 1 of his deal had the fanbase immediately calling for a trade, however, that didn’t happen, leaving Vincent on the 2024-25 roster.
Even though he hasn’t been perfect all year, Vincent has been much better this season than he was last.
The former UC Santa Barbara standout is averaging 6.6 points on .407/.364/.714 splits across 69 appearances (11 starts), playing over 21 minutes per outing. His performance has only improved as the season’s progressed, proven by his averaging 9.6 points while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 45.8% from deep in the last 17 games.
Whether or not Vincent sustains his recently improved play doesn’t change the fact that he could be traded this offseason. He’s set to carry an $11.5 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, which is the type of number the Lakers can potentially use in a trade to acquire another All-Star-quality player.
Unless he proves that his value to the team is immeasurable, there’s a good chance Vincent won’t be with the Lakers next season.
3. Alex Len, C
It’d be nearly impossible to find a Lakers fan who wants to see Alex Len back on the roster for the 2025-26 campaign.
The veteran 7-footer has often been the worst player on the floor during his brief time with Los Angeles, having joined the center-hungry team following the aforementioned failed Williams trade.
Unfortunately, Len has looked like an inexperienced rookie despite having 12 years of NBA experience under his belt.
The Ukrainian big man is only averaging 2.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while playing about 12 minutes across nine appearances, all while shooting 44.4% from the field. His lack of playing time isn’t an excuse for the lackluster production as the 8.1 points per 100 possessions he’s averaging with the Lakers is the worst rate of any of the six teams he’s played for.
The good news is that Len is only signed for the remainder of the year, meaning the Lakers can completely rid themselves of him once the offseason begins. It’s going to take a dramatic turnaround to change his outlook, meaning no one should hold their breath regarding a potential L.A. return.
4. Markieff Morris, PF/SF
Luka Doncic wasn’t the only player the Lakers acquired when they struck a pre-deadline trade with the Mavericks. Los Angeles also used to trade to bring in Maxi Kleber, as well as veteran forward Markieff Morris, who was previously a part of the 2020 NBA Finals run.
The likes of Redick and LeBron James have made it clear that they’re happy to have Morris around, even if his best playing days are behind him. Having said that, his status as a beloved locker room leader doesn’t guarantee that he’ll still be in L.A. once the postseason is over.
After all, Morris is also playing on an expiring contract and nothing about his current performance screams that he deserves a re-signing. He’s played an average of 13 minutes in seven outings (1. start) with the Lakers so far, averaging 4.7 points with putrid .289/.300/.833 shooting splits. Considering how he hasn’t suited up since March 22, chances are he won’t touch the floor again unless the lineup is depleted due to injury.
With his turning 36 years old before the 2025-26 season begins, it’s also possible that Morris will decide to retire this offseason. He’s already won a championship ring and could potentially add a second to his collection this spring, leaving him without much to play for — especially as his skills continue declining.
All in all, Morris extending his playing career — especially in Los Angeles — seems unlikely.
5. Shake Milton, PG/SG
Shake Milton is another in-season acquisition who’s disappointed the Lakers fanbase. The 26-year-old guard was acquired — along with Dorian Finney-Smith — from the Brooklyn Nets back in December in a trade that sent D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-rounders back the other way.
Once one of the better bench contributors in the league, Milton has looked like anything but that during his Lakers stint. The ex-SMU Mustang has struggled offensively more often than not, averaging 3.6 points and 1.3 assists with .450/.300/.850 shooting splits across 27 games.
Unsurprisingly, the putrid play has resulted in Milton’s minutes being cut. He’s only seen action in one of the Lakers’ last eight games, coming when he played less than two minutes of garbage time during a 124-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Apr. 4.
Even though Milton has two years left on his contract, it’d be a surprise if he spent either of them with the Lakers. He clearly isn’t a good fit for Redick’s lineup, and Los Angeles shouldn’t have that tough of a time moving the struggling PG since he only carries a $3 million cap hit (without any guaranteed money) next season.
Even if the return in a potential offseason trade isn’t great, the Lakers are better off using Milton’s roster spot on a more consistently effective contributor.
6. Maxi Kleber, PF
Although Doncic and Morris have seen their fair share of Lakers action since the trade deadline, Maxi Kleber is the only part of the deal with the Mavericks who hasn’t.
The 6-foot-10 German forward has been sitting on the sidelines as he continues recovering from foot surgery he underwent in January.
The Lakers recently revealed that Kleber has returned to team activities. Having said that, hopeful fans shouldn’t hold their breath.
While the veteran big man is back in the mix, a return timetable wasn’t given, meaning no one is certain that the 33-year-old veteran will be healthy before the playoffs.
If Kleber can’t suit up during the regular season’s final stretch or in the playoffs, there just isn’t much incentive for the Lakers to re-sign him in free agency.
It isn’t as if he was balling out with the Mavericks before the trade. In fact, it was the opposite as he was averaging career lows in points (3.0), rebounds (2.8), field-goal percentage (38.5%), and three-point success (26.5%) before undergoing surgery.
Kleber’s stats have been declining in recent seasons, and no one would be surprised if his age and recent injury forced that trend to continue into 2025-26.
Assuming the Lakers don’t want to roll the dice on a potential comeback attempt blowing up in their face, Kleber will likely leave the City of Angels once the playoffs end.
7. Jarred Vanderbilt, PF/C
A former 2018 second-round pick, it wasn’t that long ago when Jarred Vanderbilt was one of the Lakers’ top supporting cast members.
The former Kentucky Wildcat quickly became an L.A. fan favorite after being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and his solid two-way play landed him a four-year, $48 million extension with the Lakers before the 2023-24 campaign began.
Much to his dismay, Vanderbilt’s first full year with the Lakers was cut short due to an injury-plagued experience.
The Houston, TX native only suited up in 29 games with Los Angeles before being shut down in early February with a foot injury, leaving fans hoping for a better run in 2024-25.
His recovery forced him to miss the start of the current season, keeping him out of Redick’s lineup until January.
Unfortunately, Vanderbilt’s play hasn’t returned to where it was pre-injury. Although his defensive performances have still been solid, Vanderbilt is only averaging 3.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and .477/.281/.563 splits in 33 games — not exactly the type of performance the Lakers wanted from a player with a $48 million contract.
It was only on Apr. 4 when The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers might consider trading Vanderbilt this offseason, even if there isn’t a ton of interest.
The 6-foot-8 big still has two years and a $13.2 million player option remaining on his contract, and no one would blame the Lakers for getting out of it if they don’t have faith in a turnaround.
In other words, Vanderbilt might be joining his fifth NBA franchise since 2018-19 if he can’t prove to the Lakers why he deserved his major contract extension in the first place.
