Following a season of significant change and upheaval for the Los Angeles Lakers, marked by the acquisition of superstar Luka Doncic yet concluding with a disappointing early playoff exit in the first round, the team faced pressing questions about its path forward.
Could the Lakers successfully recruit a starting center to complement Doncic, especially after abandoning a trade-deadline deal for Charlotte`s Mark Williams and benching Jaxson Hayes during the playoffs? Would this summer mark the final chapter for LeBron James? Could they enhance their roster with more versatile two-way players to compete effectively with teams like this year`s champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder? What trajectory would Year 2 of the JJ Redick era take?
What remained unforeseen – and indeed, unknown to even ponder – was perhaps the most impactful Lakers development in decades: the Buss family, proprietors of the franchise since 1979, reaching an agreement to divest a majority ownership share to businessman Mark Walter at a staggering $10 billion valuation.
While Walter affirmed in a statement that Jeanie Buss would retain her role as governor and “continue to oversee all team operations on a day-to-day basis for the foreseeable future,” roster enhancements are undeniably necessary for next season`s Lakers squad to genuinely contend.
The precise distance separating the Lakers from contention hinges significantly on one`s assessment of their current standing as free agency approaches.
Review of the Past Season
On one hand, Los Angeles achieved a respectable 50-win season in Redick`s debut year at the helm, securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The midseason acquisition of Doncic proved successful, as he integrated effectively with existing stars James and Austin Reaves. This positive meshing occurred despite Doncic having minimal practice opportunities with his new teammates upon arrival due to a left calf strain.
Conversely, Los Angeles suffered a defeat against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the initial playoff round. By the series` conclusion, Redick appeared to have lost confidence in his starting center, opting to bench Hayes for the final game and a half. Furthermore, the synergy among the Lakers` primary players isn`t without its flaws.
Doncic and Reaves exhibit defensive vulnerabilities and occasionally create offensive overlap, while James, heading into his 23rd professional season, is likely to experience some degree of decline, even if primarily manifesting in his availability.
During his exit interview following the loss to the Wolves, Rob Pelinka, the Lakers` president of basketball operations and general manager, anticipated a bustling summer period.
“There is going to be a lot of movement around the NBA. It just feels that way,” Pelinka commented. “There`s just so many aggressive leaders and organizations that are expecting now success. So, I think there will be a lot of opportunities for us to look at. I really do. I`m excited about the offseason, and what will come our way.”
Offseason Strategy and Player Situations
Based on the transactional activity already witnessed – even during the NBA Finals when major team business typically pauses – Pelinka`s prediction proved accurate. Memphis traded Desmond Bane to Orlando, and Phoenix sent Kevin Durant to Houston. In the days following the Thunder`s championship win, Boston traded Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta, while New Orleans dealt CJ McCollum to Washington in a package centered on Jordan Poole. Thus far, the Lakers have remained observers.
However, they were reportedly connected to one significant transaction. Mark Williams was traded to Phoenix for the No. 29 pick in the draft and a protected 2029 first-round pick – a package resembling the one the Lakers had proposed to the Hornets for Williams back in February.
On the initial night of the NBA draft, numerous picks exchanged hands, but the Lakers – lacking a first-round selection (traded to New Orleans as the final component of the 2019 Anthony Davis deal) – were largely inactive in that specific area.
Consequently, their assets available to substantially upgrade the team this summer are constrained.
The primary financial tool the Lakers are projected to utilize in free agency is the taxpayer midlevel exception, valued at $5.7 million, contingent on James opting into the final year of his contract for $52.6 million, according to league sources.
On the trade market, Dalton Knecht and the Lakers` 2031 first-round draft pick represent positive assets that can be included in offers. Additionally, the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) are pieces Pelinka might leverage in his search for a center.
Pelinka indicated that Austin Reaves would not be traded when questioned about the team`s core post-season.
“The level of confidence in Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luca Doncic is at an all-time high still,” Pelinka stated. “I think those three guys have incredible promise playing together. And we will collectively do a better job to make sure they`re surrounded with the right pieces to have ultimate success.”
Despite Pelinka`s comments, rumors surfaced linking Los Angeles to potential trade discussions with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler and the Miami Heat for wing Andrew Wiggins. Representatives for both Reaves and Vincent were not contacted regarding any potential deals involving their clients, sources indicated, which is standard practice when a trade is nearing completion.
Kessler was among the centers Los Angeles inquired about last season prior to the Williams trade, sources noted, but Utah`s asking price – multiple first-round picks – was deemed prohibitive. The 23-year-old 7-footer averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds (including a league-leading 4.6 offensive boards), and 2.4 blocks in his third NBA season.
Beyond his age aligning well with Doncic`s timeline, Kessler is due only $4.9 million next season and would carry a relatively modest cap hold in the summer of 2026, potentially enabling Los Angeles to pursue other free agents while retaining his Bird rights to negotiate an extension.
The Lakers reportedly contacted the Atlanta Hawks about their athletic 6-10 big man Onyeka Okongwu last season. Other centers under contract that the Lakers have internally considered since last season include Brooklyn`s Nic Claxton and Portland`s Robert Williams III, sources shared. Among potential free-agent big men Los Angeles could target are established veterans like Clint Capela, Al Horford, and Brook Lopez.
The remaining roster spots will likely be filled with veteran minimum contracts and selections from the second round of the draft. On Thursday, Los Angeles advanced 10 positions to No. 45 by trading the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls. They then traded the No. 45 pick and additional cash to Minnesota to select Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 36 overall.
Pelinka told Spectrum Sportsnet after the draft that Thiero, an athletic 6-8, 220-pound forward, embodies an “archetype” similar to what OG Anunoby provides for the New York Knicks.
Key Player Updates: LeBron, Reaves, Doncic
Meanwhile, the focus remains significantly on LeBron James, who sources anticipate will exercise his $52.6 million player option, and the rest of the team`s composition.
James, who turns 41 in December, resumed on-court basketball activities this week after sustaining a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee during Game 5 against Minnesota.
Prior to his return to the court, he had been engaged in weight room training alongside his son, Lakers guard Bronny James, sources informed ESPN. This marks their first extensive offseason training together following last summer`s Paris Olympics. While James has contemplated retirement after every season since 2023, a source close to his perspective shared that at this juncture, James is not entering the upcoming season with any certainty that it will be his last.
Austin Reaves, for his part, declined the Lakers` offer of a four-year, $89.2 million extension this week, a decision sources indicated was expected.
In the summer of 2026, Reaves becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $98 million extension. Alternatively, he can opt out of the final year of his current contract, becoming an unrestricted free agent and qualifying for a potential max contract starting at 25% of the salary cap for the 2026-27 season.
The Lakers extended the offer, sources explained, fully aware that Reaves would likely decline it. However, the franchise sought to demonstrate its commitment to him and avoid sending a negative signal by not making the offer. Both parties, sources conveyed, are motivated to finalize a new deal next summer.
Forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who underwent surgery on his left ankle post-season, has until Sunday to decide whether to opt out of the final year of his contract, valued at $15.4 million for next season. He is eligible to sign an extension before free agency officially commences Monday.
Up until Saturday, the Lakers can offer Finney-Smith a three-year extension worth $54 million, per ESPN reporting. Between Sunday and Monday, Los Angeles can extend a four-year offer worth $90.2 million, which would replace his player option with a new salary structure.
If Finney-Smith chooses to opt in for $15.4 million next season, he would then be eligible to sign a four-year deal worth $96.5 million, assuming the signing occurs after July 6 when the free agency moratorium concludes. A source familiar with the discussions mentioned that while Finney-Smith is interested in remaining with Los Angeles, he might explore opportunities elsewhere for a multiyear commitment if staying with the Lakers necessitates him opting into his current deal without a new extension.
The resolution regarding Finney-Smith could significantly impact the options available to Los Angeles. Should he depart, the Lakers would have traded three second-round picks for what amounted to a half-season rental after acquiring him from the Brooklyn Nets. His departure would also mean losing a popular presence in the locker room and a player whom Coach Redick seemingly trusts implicitly.
However, his leaving would liberate the full midlevel exception of $14.1 million for Los Angeles. This amount could be divided to pursue multiple free agents seeking contracts above the veteran minimum. Furthermore, if the Lakers do not fully utilize the midlevel exception, they would gain flexibility to absorb additional salary in a trade, fitting it within the remaining portion of the MLE.
And then, of course, there is Luka Doncic, Los Angeles` 26-year-old superstar and the projected face of the franchise moving forward.
On August 2nd, the Lakers gain eligibility to offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension. Alternatively, Doncic could opt to sign a three-year, $165 million extension that includes a player option in 2028, per reporting. This path would allow him to subsequently sign a maximum contract in 2028, qualifying him for 35% of the salary cap over five seasons.
While the precise contractual arrangement between Doncic and the Lakers remains to be seen, there are no current indications of an imminent separation. A source close to Doncic communicated to ESPN that Mark Walter`s acquisition of a majority stake is viewed as a positive development.
“You always want the wealthiest owners, so that speaks for itself,” the source stated. “And his track record speaks for itself. … [Doncic] wants to win. This owner`s proven that he wants to win. So this is a plus-plus.”
Moreover, Doncic remains motivated by how the Dallas Mavericks handled his situation following the trade and the disappointing conclusion to the Lakers` season. He has reportedly committed to a rigorous offseason training and nutrition regimen, sources shared.
Doncic will also have direct access to the Lakers` coaching staff throughout this summer. Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean will serve as an assistant coach with the Slovenian national team, sources confirmed, as Doncic prepares to compete for his home country in the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.
The Lakers may possess their ascending star in Doncic, a promising young coach in Redick, and a financially capable owner in Walter to build their future. However, substantial work is still required to maximize the current opportunity with this team, especially considering LeBron James is nearing the end of his illustrious career.
“We`re going to turn over every stone and whatever resources the collective bargaining agreement gives us, we`re going to use to the utmost,” Pelinka affirmed to Spectrum SportsNet. “We won`t rest until we get it right.”
