As per Live Cricket BPL data, the Lakers have finalized their basic roster for the new season through a combination of signings and waivers, with a 13-man lineup already confirmed. This means the team will once again rely on LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the core duo, supported by key players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent, as they set their sights on another championship run. They’ve weathered the storm alone before—so losing anyone along the way no longer feels like a setback.

Mid-season trades last year had a dramatic impact. The Lakers surged from 13th to 7th in the Western Conference and reached the Western Conference Finals, falling just one step short of the NBA Finals. With LeBron turning 39 soon, the upcoming season could be the ideal moment to pass the torch to Anthony Davis. Live Cricket BPL believes this marks a transitional year for the Lakers—a time to reestablish Davis as the team’s primary offensive and defensive leader. That’s the only way the team can regain its former dominance and put up an elite performance throughout the regular season.

Davis needs the organization’s full support to build the confidence necessary to maximize his number-one draft pick potential. At 30 years old, he’s still in the prime of his career. Rather than chasing fleeting excitement, the Lakers seem committed to long-term stability. To stand out in a fiercely competitive Western Conference and return to the Finals, roster upgrades are no longer optional—they’re urgent. Led by GM Rob Pelinka, the Lakers front office has reportedly submitted a preliminary offer to the Chicago Bulls to acquire Zach LaVine.

LaVine, despite being a fixture in Chicago for several seasons, has struggled to build strong chemistry with DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević. The Bulls’ performance has remained mediocre, which raises doubts about LaVine’s role in the team’s long-term plans. If the Bulls have to choose between LaVine and DeRozan as the franchise centerpiece, that ambiguity could tip the scales in favor of a trade. Meanwhile, the Lakers have noticed how many Western Conference contenders are strengthening their squads. To stay in the race, adding an All-Star caliber player like LaVine is seen as a necessary step.

LaVine has long been on the Lakers’ radar, and with a genuine opportunity now on the table, the team is unlikely to let it slip away. Reports suggest the Lakers have reached an internal consensus to eventually trade D’Angelo Russell, likely bundling him with other assets to make the deal for LaVine happen. If LaVine does join the Lakers, Live Cricket BPL believes the team’s perimeter scoring and defensive capabilities will see a significant upgrade—an area that’s currently considered one of their key weaknesses.

Despite being a high draft pick, Russell has yet to fully prove himself in Los Angeles. His underwhelming performance during the Western Conference Finals last season left fans and management disappointed. Sometimes emotions hit like a wave, catching you completely off guard—and the Lakers’ decision to move on from Russell reflects that shift. In the end, the NBA is still a business at heart, where loyalty often takes a back seat to performance and profit.