It seems the last piece of the Lakers puzzle will come from the perimeter, with the team actively searching for guard/wing defenders on the trade market. However, a recent move on the waiver wire could make things interesting for LA.
Could This Free Agent Answer Lakers Calls for Defense?
Josh Okogie Waived by Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets waived guard Josh Okogie Tuesday before his $7.7 million contract became guaranteed. A 26-year-old known for his stifling defense, some Lakers fans naturally clamored for the team to sign him.
Josh Okogie would be a logical free agent target for the Lakers.
Okogie was recently waived by the Hornets after his $7.7M salary was non-guaranteed while the Lakers would value the addition of a versatile, defensive-minded wing to fill out the edge of the roster this offseason.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) July 16, 2025
Drafted 20th overall by the Timberwolves in 2018, the former Georgia Tech guard quickly made a name for himself thanks to his tenacious defense, which wound up on highlight reels after some terrific stops against James Harden.
After four years of coming off the bench in Minnesota, Okogie spent two and a half seasons with the Suns in a similar role. Phoenix then traded him at the deadline to the Hornets, where he recently averaged a career-best 8.9 points and 1.8 steals in 15 games (six starts). Now a free agent, the rising eighth-year guard will likely play on a veteran minimum contract, a price the Lakers could easily afford should they move on from reserve guard Shake Milton, who holds a contract guarantee date of July 20.
Okogie’s Pros
Okogie certainly stands out as a staunch defender at 6’4”, able to hang with the league’s best and get crucial stops on future Hall-of-Famers. When it comes to steals per 100 possessions (min. 600 minutes), Okogie ranked third behind Alex Caruso and Dyson Daniels—elite company to be in when it comes to defensive-minded guards. He has the energy to relentlessly compete on defense, something the Lakers bench had mostly missed throughout the regular season and playoffs.
Offensively, he’s displayed a promising handle in transition, with enough athleticism to get up for highlight slams. This season, Okogie did most of his scoring inside the arc, attempting most of his shots within ten feet and converting 53% of them.
Okogie’s Cons
Despite Okogie’s excellent defense, his offensive limitations worsen his case for the Lakers. Throughout his seven-year career, he has shot 40.6% from the field and 29.9% from three. Though he hit respective 48% and 34% marks with Phoenix this season, that shooting came on low volume and a small sample size (25 games played, average of 14 minutes per night).
Lakers fans who are against signing Okogie pointed out how the team already has a two-way guard in Jordan Goodwin. Others argue he’d be a smaller version of Jarred Vanderbilt, LA’s 6’9” wing stopper with his own offensive limitations. With the team in need of two-way perimeter players, Okogie’s case simply isn’t as strong as the trade targets LA is rumored to have interest in.
Josh Okogie rocks on defense and fits LA’s need.
Josh Okogie on offense has underperformed on 3s worse than Jarred Vanderbilt every year of his career until his 92 shot sample last season.
Prior to that D he had F, F, F, F, F, & F season grades in 3PT Shot Making Efficiency.
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) July 16, 2025
The Last Word
It wouldn’t hurt for the Lakers to consider Okogie, seeing how he could give them a shot in the arm on defense while potentially growing his offensive skills. However, they’d likely be better off trading for a 3-and-D option who could enter head coach JJ Redick’s rotation sooner than later.
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
