As the final buzzer sounded and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the organization enters the summer with questions — and plenty of them.
Will LeBron James return or will he seek greener pastures?
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What about Austin Reaves and his pending free agency?
Will the franchise embrace the presence of Luka Dončić and tailor a roster around him, loaded with pieces that actually fit, instead of pushing more on-ball players toward him?
That last question, in particular, is one that should be heavily prioritized.
Neither James nor Reaves has the same importance or influence as Dončić, meaning building around the Slovenian is an outright necessity.
Dončić, who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists this season, is under contract for at least two more years — his age-27 and age-28 seasons — and it’s crucial the Lakers capitalize on his physical prime.
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Let’s get into their summer.
2025-26 finish
Record: 53-29, fourth in Western Conference. Swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Highlight of the season
Dončić’s 60-point game against the Miami Heat on March 19. He shot 18-of-30 from the floor and hit nine 3s. It was fun, it was loose, and the Lakers played with a level of joy not often seen this season.
Players signed for next season
Luka Dončić
Adou Theiro
Key free agents
LeBron James (UFA)
Austin Reaves (player option)
Rui Hachimura (UFA)
Luke Kennard (UFA)
Projected salary
$74,280,568
Draft pick
No. 25
Draft focus: Shooting. If the Lakers are to build around Dončić, which they should, it’s essential they add floor-spacing elements to optimize his game.
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Pending cap holds and whether they re-sign Reaves and James, the Lakers should have ample cap space to go out and make quality role-player signings. That is, of course, unless they wish to function as an over-the-cap team, which they can in order to secure the Non-Tax MLE.
Needs and goals
As is the theme today, it’s all about Dončić, and the optimization of building a sustainable product around him. That means shooting, that means a higher emphasis on two-way production, and a general need for depth. L.A. needs athletic length, defenders, finishers and shooters to make the most of Dončić’s gifts. It isn’t a difficult formula and the blueprint was laid out when Dončić carried the Mavs to the Finals in 2024. But this is after all the Lakers, who couldn’t competently surround LeBron with the right pieces.
