Lakers' Offseason Crossroads: LeBron's Future, Doncic's Extension, and Ownership Change Spark Rebuild Speculation

Following a transformative yet turbulent season that brought Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers but culminated in a disappointing first-round playoff exit, questions abound regarding the team's path forward.

• Could the Lakers acquire a starting center to complement Doncic, given their previous reluctance to secure Mark Williams and the benching of Jaxson Hayes during the playoffs?
• Will this be LeBron James' final season?
• Can they bolster their roster with two-way players to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder?
• What will the second year under coach JJ Redick entail?

Amidst these questions, a monumental development emerged: the Buss family reached an agreement to sell a majority ownership stake to businessman Mark Walter, valuing the Lakers at $10 billion.

While Walter assured that Jeanie Buss would remain governor and oversee team operations, adjustments to the Lakers' roster are imperative for them to contend for a championship next season.

The Lakers' competitiveness hinges on their offseason moves.

On one hand, the Lakers achieved 50 wins in Redick's debut season and secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The acquisition of Doncic at midseason proved successful, as he synergized well with James and Austin Reaves, despite limited practice time due to a calf strain.

*Adou Thiero's skills offer new possibilities for the Lakers.*

Conversely, the Lakers were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Redick lost confidence in Hayes, benching him for a significant portion of the series. Furthermore, the fit among the Lakers' key players remains a concern.

Doncic and Reaves are considered defensive liabilities and often occupy similar spaces offensively. James, entering his 23rd season, is expected to experience some decline, potentially affecting his availability.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations and general manager, anticipated an active summer during his exit interview.

"There is going to be a lot of movement around the NBA. It just feels that way," Pelinka stated. "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."

Early Offseason Moves

Despite the NBA Finals typically being a period of relative inactivity, several significant trades occurred, including Memphis trading Desmond Bane to Orlando and Phoenix trading Kevin Durant to Houston, validating Pelinka's prediction.

Following the Thunder's championship victory, Boston traded Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta, while New Orleans sent CJ McCollum to Washington. However, the Lakers have remained largely inactive thus far.

They were linked to a deal involving Williams, who was traded to Phoenix.

Lakers' Limited Resources

The Lakers' ability to improve the team this summer is constrained by limited assets.

Their primary mechanism in free agency is projected to be the taxpayer midlevel exception, valued at $5.7 million, as James is anticipated to exercise the final year of his contract for $52.6 million, according to sources.

On the trade market, Dalton Knecht and the Lakers' 2031 first-round pick remain valuable assets, along with the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million), which Pelinka can utilize in his search for a center.

Pelinka indicated that Reaves is considered untouchable when discussing the team's core.

"The level of confidence in Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luca Doncic is at an all-time high still," Pelinka affirmed. "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."

Trade Rumors

Rumors have surfaced linking the Lakers to trade discussions with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler and the Miami Heat for wing Andrew Wiggins. Representatives for Reaves and Vincent were reportedly not contacted regarding these potential trades, a typical indicator of advanced negotiations.

Kessler was previously a target for the Lakers before the Williams trade.

Beyond fitting Doncic's timeline, Kessler's contract is favorable, and he would have a relatively small cap hold in 2026, enabling the Lakers to pursue other free agents and retain his Bird rights for a potential extension.

The Lakers also inquired about Onyeka Okongwu. Other centers under consideration include Nic Claxton and Robert Williams III. Free-agent options include Clint Capela, Al Horford, and Brook Lopez.

The Lakers drafted Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 36.

*LeBron James stays dedicated to training.*

LeBron's Future and Roster Decisions

James has resumed basketball activities after recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain.

Despite considering retirement in recent offseasons, sources indicate that James is not approaching the upcoming season with certainty that it will be his last.

Reaves declined the Lakers' four-year, $89.2 million offer, which was expected.

Dorian Finney-Smith has a deadline to opt out of his contract, worth $15.4 million.

Finney-Smith's decision could significantly impact the Lakers' options. If he departs, the Lakers would have essentially traded three second-round picks for a short-term rental.

However, his departure would allow the Lakers to utilize the full midlevel exception of $14.1 million.

Doncic's Future

On August 2, the Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension.

Sources close to Doncic view Walter's acquisition positively.

"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."

Doncic is also motivated by the Mavericks' handling of him post-trade and the Lakers' playoff exit, committing to an offseason training program.

Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean will join the Slovenian national team's coaching staff, providing Doncic with a direct link to the Lakers.

While the Lakers have a promising star in Doncic, a capable coach in Redick, and a deep-pocketed owner in Walter, significant work remains to capitalize on their current potential, especially with James nearing the end of his 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 stated. "We won't rest until we get it right."