Lakers May Already Be Regretting Bold Offseason Move, Sources Say

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The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 NBA offseason determined to retool their roster after another early playoff exit. With LeBron James nearing the twilight of his legendary career and Anthony Davis anchoring the defense, the franchise was under pressure to make bold moves. One such move, however, is already raising concerns inside the organization, and according to multiple sources, regret may be setting in earlier than expected.

 

At the center of the Lakers’ offseason gamble was the decision to sign guard Darius Garland to a four-year, $148 million deal after orchestrating a sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the move was initially praised for adding another shot creator to ease the offensive burden on LeBron and AD, the early feedback from workouts and internal conversations is far from glowing.

 

Chemistry Questions Surface

 

Sources close to the team suggest that Garland’s fit next to both LeBron James and Austin Reaves has been awkward. The Lakers envisioned Garland as a floor spacer and secondary ball-handler who could run the second unit while also providing scoring in closing lineups. However, early signs suggest Garland has struggled to adapt to a more off-ball role.

 

“Darius is used to dominating the ball,” said a team source familiar with the offseason scrimmages. “When you have LeBron and Reaves initiating so much, there’s only so many touches left. Right now, it looks a bit clunky.”

 

The Lakers also had to part with a package that included Rui Hachimura and two future second-round picks to complete the deal, thinning out their frontcourt depth. That move may come back to haunt them, especially after witnessing Hachimura thrive in his new environment with the Cavaliers during summer training.

 

Defensive Concerns Growing

 

One of the biggest knocks on Garland has always been his defense, and that’s proving true again. At just 6-foot-1, Garland is often a mismatch target against larger guards. The Lakers had hoped his pairing with Reaves and Davis would mask those deficiencies, but internal practice reports say opposing lineups have had no trouble exploiting his size on switches.

 

“He gets hunted,” one team insider said bluntly. “It’s not all on him, but when playoff basketball comes around, that’s going to be a problem.”

 

The Lakers were already a middling perimeter defense last season. Losing Hachimura’s physicality on switches and replacing it with Garland’s small frame makes it harder for head coach J.J. Redick to draw up a defensive scheme that can consistently get stops against elite teams.

 

JJ Redick Caught in Early Dilemma

 

The decision to hire J.J. Redick as head coach was another bold move by the Lakers this summer. A first-time coach with zero sideline experience at any level, Redick is now tasked with integrating a roster that might not be as complementary as it looked on paper. The Garland situation only adds to the challenges.

 

While Redick has impressed players and staff with his basketball IQ and communication skills, insiders say he’s already feeling the heat of juggling expectations with unclear positional fits. How he handles the Garland situation will be a test of his leadership and adaptability.

 

“JJ’s great in the film room,” one assistant coach noted. “But you can already tell he’s thinking, ‘How do I make all these pieces work together?’”

 

Locker Room Dynamics in Flux

 

The presence of Garland has also changed the locker room hierarchy. Some within the team believe his high usage rate and ball-dominant style could undermine the rhythm that Reaves and James established late last season.

 

There’s also concern about how Garland’s presence might impact Bronny James’ development. With Garland expected to play heavy minutes and Reaves continuing to emerge as a core piece, Bronny’s path to meaningful rotation minutes could be blocked. That dynamic has raised eyebrows given LeBron’s desire to play alongside his son during his final NBA years.

 

While team officials deny any tension, a veteran team source admitted there’s a growing sense of imbalance: “You can’t have five guys who need the ball to be effective. Someone’s going to get frustrated.”

 

Alternatives the Lakers Passed On

 

In hindsight, the Lakers passed on a few lower-risk options that may have served the roster better. Players like Tyus Jones and Monte Morris were available in free agency and could have been signed for significantly less, allowing the Lakers to retain Hachimura and preserve future flexibility.

 

There were also early conversations about pursuing a trade for Malcolm Brogdon, a bigger guard with a more defensive-minded profile. Ultimately, the front office zeroed in on Garland’s offensive talent and upside, hoping it would vault them into title contention.

 

What’s Next?

 

Despite the early concerns, the Lakers aren’t giving up on the experiment. Training camp hasn’t even started, and many within the organization still believe Garland can adapt to a reduced role with the right coaching and buy-in.

 

Still, the Lakers’ front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, is reportedly keeping an eye on how things evolve through the first two months of the season. If the chemistry doesn’t improve or if the team starts slow, a midseason shakeup could be on the table.

 

There’s also the pressure of maximizing LeBron’s final years. With every season possibly his last, the Lakers have no margin for error. That reality alone makes the Garland move all the more scrutinized.

 

Final Word

 

It’s far too early to label the Darius Garland acquisition a failure. He’s still young, talented, and capable of putting up All-Star numbers. But based on the Lakers’ internal rumblings and fit issues, it’s clear the franchise may be second-guessing whether this was the right move at the right time.

 

As one rival executive put it: “Sometimes the biggest moves are the ones that sneak up on you—and not in a good way. The Lakers could be dealing with that reality soon.”

 

The next few months will determine whether this gamble was worth it—or if the L

akers made a win-now decision they’ll soon wish they hadn’t.