The Lakers continue to strengthen! Targeting a key contributor from the Warriors' championship run, his arrival would make things much easier for LeBron.

Despite the Lakers’ big acquisitions this offseason with three important signings in a row, they still lack a defensive presence on the wing. With Fini Smith opting to sign with the Rockets, the Lakers are short of a player who can lead the defense against the opposing team’s key offensive threat. Therefore, the Lakers seem eager to further bolster their roster and have set their sights on former Warriors championship contributor Andrew Wiggins.

If Wiggins joins the Lakers, it would be a huge boost for the team. A closer look at the current starting lineup reveals many defensive weaknesses. Both Doncic and Reaves struggle defensively. LeBron, being older, can no longer keep up with younger players on foot, and Hachimura has a very slow lateral movement. Most of the Lakers’ starters are not strong defenders, so they desperately need a defensive stalwart.

Should the Lakers acquire Wiggins, he would become the defensive anchor, tasked with guarding the opponent’s top scorer each game, thereby relieving LeBron of defensive burdens. This would allow LeBron to conserve energy on defense and focus more on offense. Without adding a defensive specialist this season, the Lakers might continue to struggle as defense could remain their biggest obstacle.

Wiggins is actually a very cost-effective player type, requiring a reasonable contract while being highly versatile. He can catch and shoot on offense and also handle the ball to some extent. Additionally, Wiggins is strong on the boards and poses a significant defensive threat. He played a crucial role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Therefore, the Lakers should do everything possible to acquire Wiggins. Strictly speaking, Reaves could be used as a trade asset in this pursuit.

Reaves’ playoff performances have been inconsistent, and he is often targeted on defense. Given enough ball possession, Wiggins would undoubtedly outperform Reaves in the postseason, and his strategic value is higher. I wonder what the fans think about this?