The Los Angeles Lakers need to add at least one two-way wing to their roster in order to take the next step forward and become championship contenders. Given all of their incumbent free agents they will want to keep on new contracts, they may need to go for a low-cost player in order to address at least one of their roster needs.
Ochai Agbaji is a 26-year-old 6-foot-5 wing with the Brooklyn Nets who has shown some promise in his four seasons in the NBA but hasn’t put it all together, at least not yet. Maxwell Ogden of Lake Show Life suggested that the Lakers take a flyer on Agbaji and look to rebuild him while his value is low.
“As the Los Angeles Lakers search for low-cost talent to bolster their rotation via free agency, Ochai Agbaji should be a priority signing as a player with a believable shot at redemption,” Ogden wrote.
“Agbaji, 26, finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in 27.2 minutes per game. He did so while shooting with elite efficiency at a clip of .498/.399/.708.
“Unfortunately, Agbaji’s production regressed to marks of 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.7 offensive boards, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.5 three-point field goals made in 15.7 minutes per game in 2025-26. He even shot poorly at a clip of .436/.266/.837.
“As such, a player who seemed destined for a big pay day during the 2026 period of free agency is now likely to be limited to short-term contract offers. If that proves to be the case, then the Lakers must do what they can to at least get a one-year deal, if not a second-year club option, out of negotiations with Agbaji.
“Agbaji may not be a guaranteed success story, but he’s talented enough to emerge as the type of 3-and-D wing the Lakers desperately need.”
Agbaji, who was the No. 14 pick in the 2022 draft, was lauded when he came out of the University of Kansas for his leaping ability, 6-foot-10 wingspan and overall athleticism. He was thought to have some real potential as a defender, and despite his offensive struggles this season, he did do well on that end of the floor, as Ogden pointed out.
“For as poorly as he played on offense, Agbaji actually turned in a solid defensive season. He ranked in the 83rd percentile in perimeter isolation defense, per Basketball Index, and placed in the 78th percentile in defensive positional versatility.”
Agbaji made nearly $6.4 million this season, and he is about to become a restricted free agent.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Writer suggests Lakers take a flyer on promising 3-and-D wing
