Following a season of significant change and upheaval for the Los Angeles Lakers, a season marked by the acquisition of superstar Luka Doncic but concluding with a disappointing early playoff exit, serious questions arose about the team`s path forward.
Key concerns included whether the Lakers could secure a starting center to complement Doncic, especially after abandoning a trade for Charlotte`s Mark Williams at the deadline and benching Jaxson Hayes during the playoffs. There was also speculation about LeBron James` future – would this be his final summer? Could the team add more versatile players capable of contributing on both ends of the court to match up against top contenders like this year`s champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder? How would the second year under coach JJ Redick unfold?
What no one anticipated, however, was the most significant Lakers development in decades: the Buss family, who had owned the franchise since 1979, agreed to sell a majority ownership stake to businessman Mark Walter in a deal reportedly valuing the team at $10 billion.
Although Walter`s statement confirmed that Jeanie Buss would remain as the team`s governor and continue to oversee day-to-day operations for the foreseeable future, making necessary changes to the Lakers` seemingly flawed roster will be essential for the team to be a genuine contender next season.
The perceived distance the Lakers are from true contention depends largely on how one assesses their current position as free agency approaches.
Optimistically, Los Angeles achieved 50 wins in Redick`s debut season, securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The mid-season acquisition of Doncic appeared to integrate well with existing stars James and Austin Reaves, despite Doncic joining the team with minimal practice time due to a left calf strain.
Conversely, the Lakers suffered a first-round playoff defeat to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. By the end of that series, Redick`s confidence in his starting center had waned, leading to Hayes being benched for the final game and a half. Furthermore, the synergy between the Lakers` primary players isn`t perfect.
Both Doncic and Reaves have defensive limitations and can overlap offensively at times, while James, heading into his 23rd season, is likely to experience some decline, even if only in terms of availability.
In his post-season exit interview, Rob Pelinka, the Lakers` president of basketball operations and general manager, indicated that a busy summer was expected.
“There is going to be a lot of movement around the NBA. It just feels that way,” Pelinka stated on May 1. “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.”
Based on the recent flurry of activity, even during the NBA Finals when major team business typically pauses – such as Memphis trading Desmond Bane to Orlando or Phoenix sending Kevin Durant to Houston – Pelinka`s prediction proved accurate.
In the wake of the Thunder`s championship win, several other significant trades occurred: Boston dealt Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta, while New Orleans moved CJ McCollum to Washington in a package centered around Jordan Poole. So far, the Lakers have remained on the periphery of these deals.
They were linked to one notable transaction, however. Mark Williams was traded to Phoenix for the No. 29 pick and a protected 2029 first-round pick – a package reportedly similar to what the Lakers had offered Charlotte for Williams back in February.
On the first night of the NBA draft, many picks changed hands, but the Lakers, lacking a first-round selection (sent to New Orleans as the final piece of the 2019 Anthony Davis trade), were unable to participate directly in the early action.
Furthermore, the assets available to the Lakers for improving the team this summer are limited.
Sources indicate that the Lakers are projected to have only the taxpayer midlevel exception, worth $5.7 million, available in free agency. This is because LeBron James is expected to exercise his player option for the final year of his contract, valued at $52.6 million.
On the trade market, Dalton Knecht and the Lakers` 2031 first-round pick remain attractive assets for inclusion in potential offers. Expiring contracts such as Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) could also be utilized as Pelinka continues his search for a suitable center.
Pelinka previously stated that Austin Reaves would not be traded, reaffirming confidence in the team`s core after the season. “The level of confidence in Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luka Doncic is at an all-time high still,” Pelinka said. “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 these assurances, rumors circulated linking L.A. to trade discussions with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler and the Miami Heat for wing Andrew Wiggins. Sources told ESPN that representatives for both Reaves and Vincent were not contacted regarding any of these potential deals, which is typically done as a trade nears completion.
According to sources, Kessler was among the centers the Lakers inquired about last season before the Williams trade, but Utah`s asking price – multiple first-round picks – was considered too high. The 23-year-old 7-footer had a strong third season with the Jazz, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds (leading the league with 4.6 offensive boards), and 2.4 blocks.
Beyond fitting with Doncic`s age timeline, Kessler is owed a modest $4.9 million next season and would carry a relatively small cap hold in the summer of 2026. This financial flexibility could allow L.A. to pursue other free agents while retaining Kessler`s Bird rights for a potential extension.
Sources also mentioned that the Lakers contacted the Atlanta Hawks last season about their athletic 6-10 big man Onyeka Okongwu. Other centers under contract internally considered by the Lakers since last season include Brooklyn`s Nic Claxton and Portland`s Robert Williams III. Among potential free agent big men L.A. could target are veterans Clint Capela, Al Horford, and Brook Lopez.
The remainder of the roster is expected to be filled with veteran minimum contracts and selections from the second round of the draft. On Thursday, L.A. moved up in the draft order, trading the No. 55 pick and cash to Chicago for their pick at No. 45, and then trading No. 45 and more cash to Minnesota to select Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 36.
Pelinka told Spectrum Sportsnet post-draft that Thiero, a 6-8, 220-pound athletic forward, could potentially fill the “archetype” role similar to what OG Anunoby provides for the New York Knicks.
Meanwhile, there is LeBron James, who sources anticipate will opt into his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season, along with the rest of the team`s players.
James, who will turn 41 in December, returned to 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, sources reported he had been training in the weight room with his son, Lakers guard Bronny James. This marked their first extended offseason training together since last summer`s Paris Olympics. While James has considered retirement every offseason since 2023, a source familiar with his perspective told ESPN that, at this point, James is not entering next season with any certainty that it will be his final one.
Austin Reaves, for his part, declined the Lakers` four-year, $89.2 million contract offer this week, a decision that sources said was not unexpected.
In the summer of 2026, Reaves becomes eligible to sign a four-year extension worth $98 million. Alternatively, he could opt out of the final year of his current contract, becoming an unrestricted free agent and potentially eligible for a maximum contract equivalent to 25% of the salary cap for the 2026-27 season.
Sources indicated that the Lakers extended the offer understanding Reaves might decline, but wanted to demonstrate their commitment to him and avoid sending a negative signal by not making an offer. Both sides, according to sources, are motivated to reach a new agreement next summer.
Forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who underwent surgery on his left ankle after the season concluded, faces a Sunday deadline to opt out of the final year of his contract, worth $15.4 million for the next season. He is eligible for an extension before free agency officially starts on Monday.
ESPN`s Bobby Marks reports that up until Saturday, the Lakers can offer Finney-Smith a three-year extension valued at $54 million. From Sunday through Monday, Los Angeles could offer him a four-year extension worth $90.2 million, replacing his player option with a new salary structure.
If Finney-Smith chooses to opt in for $15.4 million next season, he would be eligible to sign a four-year deal worth $96.5 million, assuming he signs after the free agency moratorium is lifted on July 6. A source close to the discussions told ESPN that while Finney-Smith is interested in staying with L.A., he might seek a multiyear deal elsewhere if opting into his current contract is the only path to remaining with the Lakers.
The resolution of Finney-Smith`s situation could significantly impact the options available to Los Angeles. Should he depart, the Lakers would have given up three second-round picks for a half-season rental after trading for him from the Brooklyn Nets. His departure would also mean losing a respected locker room presence and a player coach Redick implicitly trusts.
However, his exit would grant L.A. access to the full midlevel exception of $14.1 million, which could be used to sign multiple free agents seeking contracts above the veteran minimum. If the Lakers don`t fully utilize the midlevel exception, they could potentially absorb more salary in a trade using the remaining portion of the MLE.
And then, of course, there is Luka Doncic, the Lakers` 26-year-old superstar and the projected face of the franchise`s future.
On August 2, the Lakers will be eligible to offer Doncic a four-year extension worth $229 million. Alternatively, Marks notes that Doncic could opt for a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option in 2028. This shorter deal would then allow him to sign a maximum contract in 2028, potentially worth 35% of the salary cap for five seasons.
While the specific financial details of Doncic`s future contract with the Lakers are yet to be determined, there are currently no indications of a potential split. A source close to Doncic informed ESPN that Mark Walter`s purchase of the majority stake was viewed as a positive development.
“You always want the wealthiest owners, so that speaks for itself,” the source said. “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.”
Additionally, sources indicated that Doncic remains motivated by how the Dallas Mavericks handled him following the trade and the disappointing end to the Lakers` season. As a result, he has committed to a rigorous offseason training and nutrition program.
Doncic will also have a direct link to the Lakers` coaching staff this summer. Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean will serve as an assistant coach with the Slovenian national team, sources told ESPN, as Doncic competes for his home country in the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.
The Lakers may possess an ascending star in Doncic, a promising young coach in Redick, and a deep-pocketed owner in Walter to build their future around, but substantial work is still needed to maximize the current opportunity with this roster, especially given that LeBron James` career is nearing its conclusion.
“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 told Spectrum SportsNet on Thursday. “We won’t rest until we get it right.”