Latest Lakers Rumors on Every Player Connected to LA in Trades, Free Agency Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Los Angeles Lakers. The storied franchise is looking to move forward toward a new era with Luka Dončić as its centerpiece while also building a roster that can contend next season.

The good news is that Los Angeles is projected to be $101.5 million below the first luxury tax apron. The bad news is that's before factoring in any new deals for Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura.

Retaining Reaves appears to be L.A.'s top priority. The 28-year-old has proven himself to be an effective running mate alongside Dončić, and he's young enough to fill that role for the long haul.

The belief is that Reaves would prefer to stay in L.A., though that doesn't mean he'll give the Lakers a bargain-basement discount.

"There's a strong belief within league circles that if the Lakers offer Reaves close to or the full max, he'll stay in Los Angeles," Michael Scotto of HoopsHype wrote. "However, if the Lakers submit a low-ball offer,Reaves will consider other offers, and the possibility of a sign-and-trade could also emerge."

James also appears likely to return to L.A., assuming the 41-year-old doesn't stun everyone with a retirement this offseason.

"The prevailing sentiment, according to more than half a dozen sources around the league, is that James will likely return to the Lakers if he comes back, with the Golden State Warriors presenting a realistic second option," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote on Thursday.

McMenamin also reported that "several league sources" believe that Hachimura could be the "odd man out" this offseason.

Per McMenamin, the Lakers are also interested in retaining Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, along with James and Reaves.

Of course, the big unknown is if and how the Lakers can improve their roster for next season without sacrificing the future. They probably won't get involved in the chase of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is expected to be the top prize of the trade market.

"The Lakers haven't come up in any of my conversations at all," NBA insider Jake Fischer recently said (h/t Adel Ahmad of Heavy).

Expect Los Angeles to instead be interested in upgrading its center position. That, according to McMenamin, is what it'll take to appease Dončić.

"Luka's first and foremost desire is an A-list center," a source said, per McMenamin.

As ESPN's Brian Windhorst pointed out, Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Walker Kessler are the best free agent options for L.A. this summer, though both will be restricted free agents, and "their teams have indicated they want to keep them."

According to McMenamin, the Lakers have "already done their due diligence on" Duren, Kessler, Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets, and Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets. He also named Tobias Harris, Norman Powell, Anfernee Simmons, Landry Shamet, and Marcus Robinson among a list of unrestricted free agents who could interest L.A.

While the Lakers will have three first-round picks they can trade (2026, 2031, and 2033), the rumor mill has been quiet recently on the trade front. The only truly recent buzz involves Lu Dort. According to Scotto, the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to exercise their team option, then "consider" flipping Dort in a trade—and, per Scotto, Dort has been "linked" to the Lakers among other teams.

This doesn't mean, however, that L.A. won't other have options.

In May, for example, ESPN insiders Ben Golliver, Zach Kram, and André Snellings proposed a hypothetical trade for Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.

Earlier this month, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington are viewed as the players Dallas is "open" to dealing.