With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t need a miracle right now to make any noise. But to remain competitive, they can settle for another ball-handler. Besides LeBron James, there just isn’t enough playmaking on the team. That’s why signing Cole Anthony might be the smartest way for the Lakers to keep going.
The Ball-Handling Problem
If you look at the Lakers’ current situation, LeBron can still run the show. But expecting a 40-year-old to handle that much offense every play just isn’t realistic, especially with the playoffs coming up. After him, there aren’t many good options left.
Marcus Smart can handle the ball, but he’s never been a primary offensive engine. His value comes from defense, toughness, and secondary playmaking, not running a full offense for extended stretches. Bronny James is still developing and simply isn’t ready for that responsibility in high-leverage minutes.
Then there’s Luke Kennard, who’s now handling the ball because the team needs him to. But that’s not really his strength. Kennard is most effective when he’s spacing the floor, coming off screens, and making shots—not when he has to run the offense under pressure.
So right now, LeBron is doing most of the heavy lifting, other players are out of their usual roles, and the offense falls apart as soon as he’s on the bench.
Why Cole Anthony Makes Sense
That’s where Cole Anthony could help. He’s not perfect, but he brings exactly what the Lakers need at this moment.
He is playoff-eligible since he was waived before the deadline. He’s someone who can create his own shot. Throughout his career, Anthony has shown he can drive to the basket, pull up for jumpers, and score without needing a special system. That would take some pressure off LeBron.
He adds speed and energy. Without Luka and Reaves, the Lakers’ offense has been slow and easy to predict. Anthony would change that right away. He’s fast, aggressive, and likes to attack, which makes defenses respond instead of just waiting.
Anthony gives the team a real backup ball handler. This isn’t just a theory or a project—he’s an NBA guard who can actually play the position. That’s a big deal compared to what the Lakers have right now.
Not Perfect, But Necessary
To be clear, Anthony won’t solve every problem. His three-point shooting is up and down, and he doesn’t make a big impact on defense. But right now, the Lakers don’t need perfect—they just need someone who can get the job done.
The Lakers wouldn’t be asking him to be Luka or Reaves. They just need him to fill the gap, run the offense for a while, and keep things steady when LeBron is resting or double-teamed.
Survival-Mode
This move wouldn’t be flashy. It would just make sense.
If the Lakers want to steady their offense and give themselves a real chance until their stars come back, they need another guard who can handle the ball and create plays. Right now, Cole Anthony is one of the few realistic options left.
