Evaluating Latest Lakers Rumors on Big Names Expected to Be Targets in 2026 NBA Free Agency

The 2026 NBA draft is complete, and the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have settled their biggest piece of post-draft business. L.A. is looking to build around Luka Dončić long-term, and it has reportedly reached a deal with his top running mate.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Lakers and Austin Reaves have agreed on a four-year, $185 million extension. With Reaves' situation effectively settled, it's time for Los Angeles to continue fleshing out its roster via free agency, and that process will begin soon.

While the market won't officially open until July 6, the negotiation will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here's a look at the latest Lakers-related free-agent buzz.

2026 NBA Draft Results

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Cameron Carr, who is reportedly headed to the Lakers in a trade.

Attention Turns to LeBron James

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LeBron James

With Reaves back in the fold, LeBron James' future becomes the next logical domino for L.A. to address. The 41-year-old is, at this point, expected to play again next season, and he can help the Lakers in the short term.

However, James will likely have to accept a team-friendly contract for pretty much the first time in his career to make things work financially in Los Angeles. ESPN's Bobby Marks, for example, recently suggested a one-year, $30 million deal that would include a full no-trade clause.

Reaves, by comparison, is set to make over $46 million annually on his new deal.

However, the Lakers are likely to have competition for James' services if he does reach the open market. His agent, Rich Paul, told The Pat McAfee Show earlier this month that "10-12 teams" had already expressed interest.

While the Lakers would undoubtedly love to make one last run with James in the lineup, they probably won't overpay to keep him. Set to turn 42 in December, he simply doesn't fit the long-term timeline with Reaves and Dončić.

Might the Lakers consider a sign-and-trade that flips James for a younger player who does fit the new timeline? Perhaps. ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently told ESPN Cleveland that the Lakers would trade James for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen in "seventeen-tenths of a second."

At this point, everything appears to be on the table for LeBron and L.A.

Center is Top Offseason Priority

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Mitchell Robinson

James could help the Lakers make another playoff run in 2026-27. However, if Los Angeles wants to build a perennial contender, it needs to put good complementary pieces around Reaves and Dončić, ones who can contribute for multiple seasons.

And Dončić, specifically, has made it known that his "first and foremost desire is an A-list center," a source told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

The Lakers' need for a quality center has been obvious ever since Dončić arrived, but finding an upgrade over Deandre Ayton could be incredibly difficult this offseason. As Windhorst pointed out, Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Walker Kessler are likely to be best free agent options. However, both are slated to be restricted free agents, and, per Windhorst, "their teams have indicated they want to keep them."

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III are also on Los Angeles' radar.

According to The Athletic's Dan Woike, the Portland Trail Blazers are "expected to show interest" in re-signing Williams. The New York Knicks would presumably prefer to keep Robinson, but they do reportedly view Los Angeles as a viable threat to poach him in free agency.

"The one big obstacle that the Knicks see to bringing him back now and figuring out the aprons later, that obstacle is the Lakers," one unnamed NBA executive said, per Heavy's Sean Deveney.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Robinson is "unlikely" to return to New York this offseason.

Of course, retaining Ayton is an option, though it may be a Plan B, per Woike.

"Team sources have repeatedly talked about an upgrade at the center position," Woike wrote. "They've also spoken about a desire to get younger and more athletic."

While it's unclear who the Lakers will have a realistic shot at landing this offseason, it's obvious that they'll exhaust all options when it comes to adding a center who better complements Dončić.