The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025-26 season came to a abrupt end last week, as they were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. After grinding out a hard-fought six-game series victory over the Houston Rockets in the first round, the purple and gold ran into a buzzsaw in Oklahoma City. Now, with another offseason ahead, the Lakers are poised to make calculated moves to bolster their roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
One name quietly emerging as a sneaky target: Kevin Huerter.
On Sunday, the Detroit Pistons were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Huerter, acquired mid-season from the Chicago Bulls, is set to hit free agency. If the price is right, the 27-year-old sharpshooter could be an excellent value addition for Los Angeles.
A Proven Role Player Ready for Prime Time
Huerter finished the regular season averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game across 69 contests. He shot a solid 45.1% from the field, though his 30.8% mark from three-point range this year was below his career standards. Still, his track record inspires confidence.
In four out of his eight NBA seasons, Huerter has shot 38.0% or better from beyond the arc. Over 551 career games, he owns respectable career averages of 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.8% from three. He has also logged valuable postseason experience, appearing in 35 playoff games with 22 starts.
Drafted 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018, Huerter has already made meaningful contributions on winning teams. He played a key role in the Hawks’ run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals and was instrumental in helping the Sacramento Kings snap their long playoff drought in 2023. Versatile, unselfish, and well-regarded in the locker room, Huerter is the type of professional who does the little things that help star-driven teams succeed.
Why Huerter Fits Perfectly Next to LeBron and Doncic
With LeBron James and Luka Doncic patrolling the floor, the Lakers don’t need another primary creator. They need smart, floor-spacing wings who can knock down open threes, defend multiple positions when asked, and thrive in a system that emphasizes ball movement.
Huerter checks those boxes. His ability to play off the ball, cut intelligently, and knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities would give opposing defenses new problems. In a supporting role, he becomes a “sniper in disguise” — not always the focal point, but deadly when the attention shifts to the two superstars. His playoff pedigree adds quiet reliability to a roster that has posted back-to-back 50-win seasons under head coach JJ Redick but has yet to return to the Western Conference Finals since 2023.
Strategic Offseason Context
The Lakers face important decisions this summer regarding LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard. Adding a player like Huerter on a team-friendly deal would provide depth and shooting without sacrificing flexibility. He wouldn’t demand the ball or massive minutes, yet he has shown he can step up when needed.
For a Lakers squad looking to evolve from a strong regular-season team into true title contenders, Huerter represents low-risk, high-upside insurance. A proven shooter with experience, championship-level pedigree on deep playoff runs, and the mentality to embrace a complementary role could be the type of subtle move that pays major dividends.
As the Western Conference continues to be stacked with elite talent, the Lakers cannot afford to stand still. Quietly bringing in a sniper like Kevin Huerter might not generate massive headlines today, but it could fuel nightmares for opponents across the West tomorrow.