The Los Angeles Lakers showcased one of the NBA’s deepest and most talented rosters during the 2023-24 season. However, despite their formidable lineup, they only managed to secure the No. 7 seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference for the 2024 NBA Playoffs, ultimately bowing out in a 4-1 series loss to the Denver Nuggets in the opening round.

For the Lakers, this marks another season in which they’ve fallen short of serious championship contention despite the leadership of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, amidst this disappointment, one NBA executive believes he holds the key to revitalizing the Lakers and propelling them back into dominance within the Western Conference.

An anonymous general manager recently voiced his opinion that Denver Nuggets standout Michael Porter Jr. could be the missing piece that the Lakers need to elevate their game. According to this executive, the Lakers require a sharpshooter who can create space on the floor while complementing their formidable frontcourt presence.

“If they want to get better, that is who they’d go after. They need a gunner who is not afraid to shoot and they’d be much better off if he can be a 3-4 like LeBron, if he is not a size mismatch. A knockdown shooter who creates space, that’s the first step to getting them back to contender status again.” -Eastern Conference executive

Porter Jr. Could Remedy the Lakers’ Outside Shooting Woes

At 6 feet 10 inches, Porter Jr. possesses an elite shooting prowess that meets the Lakers’ requirements. He ranked as the sixth-most efficient three-point shooter among all NBA players standing at 6-10 or taller, boasting an impressive 39.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the regular season. Additionally, he posted the eighth-best offensive rating at 120.2. With his proven ability as an inside-out scorer and a track record of success at the highest level, the 25-year-old Porter Jr. offers both youth and experience—qualities that align with LeBron James’s preference for teammates.

However, there are concerns surrounding Porter Jr.’s defensive capabilities and injury history. While he maintains satisfactory team defense with a defensive rating of 112.1, he lacks the reputation of being a perimeter stopper or a dominant rim protector. Moreover, his extensive history of back injuries, dating back to his college days, raises red flags for a Lakers team that often finds itself without the services of the injury-prone Anthony Davis for significant stretches of the season.

Nevertheless, Porter Jr.’s potential to fulfill the role that the Lakers desperately need outweighs these concerns. Even when considering his health concerns, he remains one of the most promising young talents in the league who can consistently deliver high-scoring performances without requiring excessive ball possession.

To facilitate a potential trade for Porter Jr., the Lakers would need to match his $35.8 million salary for the upcoming season, as well as accommodate the subsequent annual increases in his salary until 2026-27. While players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell could help meet the financial requirements, the anonymous GM acknowledges that prying Porter Jr. away from the Nuggets would likely necessitate a substantial trade package—a move that could serve as a crucial recruitment tool to persuade LeBron James to remain in Los Angeles rather than exploring free agency options.