New Lakers Rumors on Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, 'Biggest Unknown' Rui Ahead of NBA Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in bringing guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard back to the team for next season, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The "biggest unknown," however, is forward Rui Hachimura, who may need to seek a "desired deal" elsewhere.

Kennard and Hachimura are impending free agents. Smart can decline his 2026-27 player option to become one as well.

Regarding Smart, McMenamin reported via sources that the "enjoyed his role with the Lakers and is hoping for a new contract and a raise."

Smart made $5.1 million last year and would play on a $5.4 million deal in 2026-27 should he exercise his player option.

McMenamin noted that Kennard has "interest in making L.A. his long-term home." He previously played in Los Angeles for the Clippers, suiting up for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and part of the 2022-23 campaign before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Kennard played on a one-year, $11 million contract last season.

The biggest question mark among the three seems to be Hachimura based on McMenamin's report. Hachimura is entering free agency after a three-year, $51 million contract with the Lakers.

L.A. could, in theory, bring this entire trio back, per McMenamin.

"Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal.

"However, if the Lakers decide to operate as an over-the-cap team, they would be able to retain all of their own free agents for whom they have Bird rights -- including accommodating Hachimura -- and also have the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, according to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks, to pursue outside free agents."

The 32-year-old Smart started 54 of 62 games last season and averaged 9.3 points on 39.5 percent shooting, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The veteran's defensive and ball-handling skills were certainly assets for a Lakers team that won 53 games and reached the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Kennard, who arrived in town via a midseason trade from the Atlanta Hawks, averaged 9.0 points on 52.7 percent shooting. He made 44.8 percent of his threes for the Lakers and provided great help for the team after superstar Luka Dončić sadly suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in early April that ultimately proved to be a season-ender. The nine-year veteran will turn 30 on June 24.

The 28-year-oldl Hachimura, who has played seven NBA seasons, also dominated from the three-point line (44.3 percent) while shooting 51.4 percent overall for 11.5 points per game. He started 41 of his 68 games for the Lakers.