The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2025-26 season came to an end on Monday night, losing 115-110 to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Getting swept is always a tough way to go out, but Lakers fans likely can’t help but wonder what could have been had superstar Luka Doncic been healthy enough to play in the lopsided series.
Would a trio of Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves have been enough to take down the juggernaut that was Oklahoma City?
Probably not. There aren’t many teams that are equipped to take down the Thunder.
Now, entering the 2026 offseason, Los Angeles has a major decision facing the franchise.
With both James and Reaves set to test unrestricted free agency, should the Lakers want to run it back one more time?
Rob Pelinka Wants LeBron James, Austin Reaves Back With Lakers
Speaking with reporters in the wake of the 4-0 sweep, Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka told reporters that the team is interested in retaining both James and Reaves, and made it clear to both players.
“Rob Pelinka says the Lakers want to ‘honor’ LeBron James by giving him the time to make a decision on his future, but want him back if he wants to come back,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin in a post on X.
“He says the team also wants Austin Reaves to return and have expressed that sentiment to Reaves’ representatives.”
It will be difficult, but not impossible, to keep both James and Reaves in the Purple & Gold this summer for the Lakers.
The first domino to fall will likely be James. At 41-years-old, it’s unclear if the four-time NBA champion is ready to continue his illustrious basketball career.
If anyone has earned the right to take the time to think about his future, it’s him.
In his 23rd NBA season, James played 60 games and averaged 33.2 minutes per game, recording 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Reaves, on the other hand, will likely have a robust market. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-high 23.3 points per game season, and may fetch a decent-sized contract in free agency.
Doncic has reportedly made it clear to the Lakers front office that he wishes to keep playing with Reaves, which could tip the scales in any decision.
What Would LeBron James and Austin Reaves New Contracts Look Like?
The Los Angeles Lakers can decide they want to make a push to retain both James and Reaves, but what would it cost the team?
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, Reaves could command a contract that pays him up to $40 million a year, based on a myriad of factors.
“Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime,” wrote Woike and Amick.
Meanwhile, James is a much trickier conversation. At 41, he’s not going to command a multi-year contract.
At this point in his career, if he even decides to continue playing, The King is more likely to take a one-year deal, or perhaps a two-year pact with a player option in Year 2.
The maximum James could receive on a one-year salary is $58.1 million, per Spotrac. But it’s hard to foresee the Lakers offering that much for a nearly 42-year-old.
Los Angeles clearly wants to keep their current star trio in place, but will it be worth it to spend roughly $100 million on two players who are questionable defenders at best?
It will be an interesting saga to watch unfold in the summer of 2026.
Rob Pelinka Reveals Lakers’ Stance on Bringing Back LeBron James & Austin Reaves