The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2025-26 NBA season is over after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
Now, with so many unanswered questions about the future, the Lakers are officially in the offseason and have a lot of things to do to create a roster centered around Luka Doncic that can better compete for a championship in the future.
Of utmost importance are LeBron James and Austin Reaves, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. While recent news signals both could come back, that remains to be seen, as the two will likely assess their options and wait to make a decision on returning to the Lakers.
Along with those two, Los Angeles has several other players hitting free agency, and questions of team-building, who to let walk, who to keep, who to bring in, and who to trade for are all at the forefront as the Lakers are now eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs.
LeBron James’ Future With The Lakers
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
For most of the season, James’ uncertain future and free agency have been one of the most dominant NBA headlines. He picked up his player option last summer for $52.6 million to make himself a free agent this offseason, sparking massive speculation that the league’s all-time leading scorer was ready to leave the Lakers and open one final chapter before retirement.
That speculation remained for most of the year, as when asked about his free agency plans, James stayed relatively mum. Insiders and reporters deep dove on what the 41-year-old would do as a free agent, as while he’s the oldest player in the NBA, he would still be desperately sought after by all other 29 franchises.
There wasn’t, and still isn’t, a verdict on James’ future, whether that be in Los Angeles or somewhere else. However, in the lead-up to the Lakers’ Game 4 against the Thunder, in what could be James’ last game in a Lakers uniform, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who has covered the star in depth for the past couple of years, dropped a new update on how he thinks the four-time champion’s free agency will play out.
“Basically, from the All-Star game onward, is that he will continue to play NBA basketball. But will it be in Los Angeles?” McMenamin said on SportsCenter.
“There’s five or six teams you could viably see him going to next year. The Lakers, if they are swept here, will have to convince LeBron, I would say on some level, that ‘We have a plan in place here for you to come back and compete for a championship’… At this stage of his career, that is the number one that has guiding his decisions, being able to compete for a championship in whatever time is left in his career.”
Outside of Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are the two teams linked most heavily to James in free agency.
Retirement is also on the table, but there haven’t been any recent indications James is leaning towards ending his career right now.
For now, though, James’ future and free agency plans remain a mystery, despite the new speculation that he plans on returning to the Lakers this offseason.
Austin Reaves Free Agency
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 29: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 29, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Austin Reaves is all but confirmed to turn down his player option and instead go after a pay raise in free agency this offseason after a career year.
The Lakers can offer the 27-year-old a contract for five-years, and up to $241 million, while other teams can only offer the rising star $179 million across the same five years. Previously, Reaves was a shoo-in to resign and stay in Los Angeles, as he’s stated in the past.
However, over the past few months, with his recent injuries and questions about his fit next to Doncic, there have been some concerns raised about the Lakers committing so heavy financially to a future with Reaves.
Along with his fit next to the franchise star, his recent injury history, defensive struggles, and market value are all reasons to signal Los Angeles might not be so keen on making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA.
They could do a sign-and-trade with another big name star, but like James’ future, that remains to be seen. For now, the expectation is that Reaves is coming back on the five-year, $241 million contract extension.
Lakers Free Agents, Targets, And Trade Plans
GettyEL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
After the Lakers made one lone move at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, McMenamin offered new insight as to why he believes they stayed relatively quiet in a year that many thought they would go all-in on a big move.
The insider reported that instead of taking a risk at the trade deadline, Los Angeles is preparing for big moves this summer, naming six free agents and trade targets they are expected to go after.
“An unrestricted free agent who has been discussed internally, sources told ESPN, is Andrew Wiggins, but he has a player option with Miami he could exercise. Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile,” he wrote back in February. “The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN.”
Since then, those names, as well as Giannis Antetokounmpo, have all been linked to the Lakers as potential targets this offseason.
Los Angeles is expected to have some of the most available cap space in the NBA this offseason, and while that could change depending on what happens with James and Reaves, they are still expected to go big fish hunting in free agency and the trade market.
They will also have to face the unrestricted free agencies of Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Maxi Kleber, and Jaxson Hayes. Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart both have player options for next season, while Dalton Knecht has a team option for the next two years. It’s unknown if Los Angeles wants to bring back any of them.
Still, the Lakers’ exact offseason plans remain to be seen. What is known is that Rob Pelinka and the front office are preparing for a future around Doncic by adding shooters and big men to pair alongside the franchise centerpiece.
They want James and Reaves back, too, but if both want to leave, that opens the door on blockbuster moves for the Lakers to make this summer.
The offseason has only just begun for Los Angeles, but it’s expected to be busy as James’ future remains up in the air, and as they now fully shift into the ‘Luka Doncic era.’
Lakers Offseason Preview: LeBron’s Future, Reaves’ Free Agency, Trade Targets, And More