The Lakers’ biggest weaknesses this season have been their defense and athleticism. This needs to be addressed if they want to contend this season. Ochai Agbaji could be the answer for Los Angeles, as Toronto seems to be moving on from him.
According to Evan Sidery, the Toronto Raptors are actively shopping Agbaji to to avoid the luxury tax. This opens the door for teams like the Lakers to buy low.
The Raptors are shopping Ochai Agbaji and second-round draft capital during trade season to duck the luxury tax.
At 6’5” with a 6’10.5” wingspan, Agbaji could help a team with wing depth.
Agbaji is on a $6.4 million expiring contract. pic.twitter.com/5SqSivNIXd
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 7, 2026
Agbaji is on a $6.4 million expiring contract, making him an easy salary fit and a low-risk addition. For the Lakers, his potential, along with his contract situation, perfectly aligns with their desire to improve without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
How Agbaji Fits in Los Angeles
Agbaji still has a lot of room for growth, but his natural gifts are something the Lakers could use right now. At 6’5” with almost seven feet of wingspan, he brings straight-line athleticism, defensive length, and positional versatility.
He’s not a knockdown shooter, but he has shown a willingness to shoot. That hasn’t always been the case with the Lakers’ wings. His role would be to defend, run the floor, and knock down open looks when defenses collapse.
Flexibility
What makes this deal attractive for the Lakers is the fact that it doesn’t close future doors. The buzzword of the summer was “optionality,” and this deal would preserve that. The Lakers could still pursue a bigger deal in the offseason while addressing their immediate needs for the current season.
Agbaji’s expiring contract gives them multiple options. They could re-sign him at the right number, include him as matching salary in a larger deal, or simply let the money come off the books.
Final Thought
Ochai Agbaji isn’t necessarily a needle-mover, but he doesn’t need to be. His skill set aligns with the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses while preserving their future flexibility. This move could help solve problems the Lakers have been dealing with all season while keeping them ready for whatever comes next.
