The Los Angeles Lakers have been on an upward trajectory since Luka Doncic arrived last month. With Doncic and LeBron James leading the charge, the Lakers have transformed from a fringe playoff team into legitimate championship contenders, now sitting just one game behind the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets for the second seed in the Western Conference.
While the duo's offensive brilliance has been instrumental, LA's defensive resurgence has also been a major factor in their success-a surprising development considering they traded Defensive Player of the Year candidate Anthony Davis to acquire Doncic, who has long been viewed as a defensive liability.
However, LA now faces a major roster dilemma ahead of the playoffs, according to ESPN Insider Dave McMenamin.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin (30) Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Two-way guard Jordan Goodwin has stepped up in James' absence, averaging 29 minutes per game since he went down with a groin injury. Per NBA rules, two-way players are limited to 50 games per season. Goodwin has just five games left, while Trey Jemison III has nine, meaning the Lakers must convert them to full contracts if they want them available for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.
This is a decision the team is taking its time on, per McMenamin.
"A source with knowledge of the Lakers' thinking told ESPN that having to make decisions about the back end of the roster because the two-way players are standing out is a 'good problem to have' and said L.A. would not be in any rush to make a change, using the final weeks of the regular season to continue to gather data points on every player involved," McMenamin reported.
New story: The Lakers defense has sustained its excellence, even with swapping a perennial DPOY candidate in AD for Luka. Will it be a sure bet in the playoffs too? https://t.co/9NKW0WPh3R
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 19, 2025
The team has until April 13, the final day of the regular season, to make a decision. But with all 15 roster spots currently occupied, LA would need to waive a player to accommodate them.
The Lakers currently sit fourth in the Western Conference and will be looking to finish the season strong as they aim for a deep playoff run. How they handle this roster decision could have significant implications for their postseason success.
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 12:47 PM.