Rush of contract extensions reveals exactly what the Lakers are missing

Fansided | October 20, 2025

Defense is being rewarded with big extensions. Too bad the Lakers don't have a defender worth paying.

Oct 5, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick coaches his team against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

With the 2025-26 regular season just over the horizon, defense is being rewarded with rookie-scale extensions. Christian Braun, Dyson Daniels, and Keegan Murray have all been paid handsomely by their respective teams, with each contract reflecting the increasing value of high-level defenders.