Los Angeles plans to be aggressive ahead of the February trade deadline, adding Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to shore up the frontcourt and perimeter defense. Jaxson Hayes could lose minutes as Ayton takes the starting center role, while the team weighs further 3-and-D wings. With LeBron James near the end of his Lakers tenure, the organization is ready to pounce on the right deal to chase a championship, even if stand-pat remains an option to reload for Giannis or Jokic next summer. For fantasy managers, expect rotation volatility around the deadline as the Lakers reshuffle for max win-now impact.

Ayton's arrival should lift FG% and rebounds, Smart boosts steals and 3s, and Hayes' role could shrink unless injuries or rest days open a path back to meaningful minutes. The rumors suggest a mix of midseason moves and a longer-term pursuit, making February a pivotal inflection point for fantasy projections across the roster.

Los Angeles added Kylor Kelley to its center mix on an Exhibit 10 contract, aiming to bolster Ayton's spellings behind him. Ayton's star potential remains, with Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber backing up the bigs. Kelley, seven feet, undrafted in 2020, spent last season with South Bay in the G League, posting 11.1 points on 67.4% FG, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 24.3 minutes, after brief NBA stints with Dallas and New Orleans and a season in Italy. The move signals depth-building ahead of training camp.

Augustas Marčiulionis is nearing a return from a broken foot, stepping into a Lakers backcourt that just got a lot more interesting with Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia in the mix. The move bolsters depth and creates a potential late-blooming path for the undrafted guard to stick in a crowded rotation.

The Lakers’ depth upgrade could squeeze minutes for veterans but also opens the door for young players, including Marčiulionis, who posted 14.2 points and 5.9 assists per game at Saint Mary’s last season. If he returns healthy, he could push for a backcourt role, offering fantasy-depth intrigue in deeper leagues.

Marcus Smart may land in the Lakers’ starting five to fix a leaky defense, replacing Rui Hachimura in a move scouts say could raise the team’s ceiling on that end. The idea hinges on Smart’s ability to chase multiple position players and act as a primary disruptor as LeBron James and the offense operate around him. Rui would likely slide to a bench role, where his offense could shine without bearing heavy perimeter duties, while Ayton anchors the middle alongside Smart. The debate centers on spacing, since Smart’s 3-point shooting has been a weakness, and the Lakers’ 17th-ranked defensive rating last season underscored how much a return to form on the perimeter could mean for their ceiling. The discussion also weighs LeBron’s aging workload and whether this lineup improves late-season stamina and defensive intensity without sacrificing offensive rhythm.

The piece notes the hypothetical group would feature Luka Doncic among the starting lineup examples, highlighting the tension between elite offense and lockdown defense when guarding teams with top guards and wings. Smart’s presence would free Austin Reaves and LeBron to focus more on scoring while allowing Deandre Ayton to anchor the rim and help rotations. If Redick can tailor lineups to optimize Smart’s defense while mitigating his 3-point gaps, the Lakers could rebut questions about their championship caliber and build a more resilient regular-season identity.