The Lakers are at a crossroads filled with tough decisions.
Maximizing opportunities built around superstars matters more than loyalty, especially when those opportunities are once in a generation. Sometimes, you need to choose between fit and talent.
Having been eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the second round, the Lakers have a difficult offseason ahead. With the possibility of LeBron's retirement, Austin Reaves looming extension, and a roster filled with holes, the Lakers have a lot of tough decisions to make.
Luka Doncic is an all-time great.
He has several top-MVP finishes and led the Mavericks to the finals before being traded. Despite this, he has yet to actually win an MVP or a championship at age 27. It's fair to say he is past due for these accolades.
When you stumble upon a talent like Luka, you can't miss that opportunity; The Lakers are doing exactly that.
Because they failed to reach the conference finals during their two postseason runs with Luka, the Lakers are falling behind their expected timeline.
So it's time for them to buckle down and build a real contender, and this process starts with a big question: What will LeBron do?
LeBron had a fantastic playoffs. He single-handedly carried the Lakers past the Rockets and put up a fight against OKC. These blasts from the past performances, while being impressive, can't allow us to ignore the simple truth.
LeBron James is turning 42 this year, and the effects of his age are starting to show. He struggles defensively, leaving a massive gap to be filled. Playing him alongside Luka and Reaves creates a logjam with ball handling, and he often relies on off-ball movement for most of his scoring. This is a huge issue, as LeBron has struggled to knock down outside shots this past season. These factors leave the question of whether or not LeBron is worth keeping around.
It's clear that, when it comes to on-court performance, it wouldn't be worth it for the Lakers to re-sign LeBron. He plays well and puts up good numbers, but his role on this team is lost if he won't provide any defense. He is simply better suited elsewhere.
Having Luka, LeBron, and Reaves is incredible talent, but their fit undermines that. Having 3 dominant ball handlers clogs up the offense. And when one of them struggles to provide off-ball shooting, while being a massive hole on defense, that makes it clear who needs to go.
This isn't the only dilemma the Lakers face, however.
There is still the question of Reaves' extension and how the Lakers will complete their roster.
They still lack perimeter defense, off-ball shooting, and a true starting center.
Will they go all in and trade for Giannis? Run it back with LeBron for a final year?
I'm not a time traveler, so I can't tell you what the Lakers will do, but I can tell what they should do.
What they should do:
Indiana Pacers receive: (F) Jarred Vanderbilt, (G) Dalton Knecht
Los Angeles Lakers receive: (F) Obi Toppin
Free Agency: Let LeBron James, Maxi Kleber, and Jaxson Hayes walk
Let Marcus Smart and DeAndre Ayton come back
Resign Rui Hachimura to a 3-year, $45 million contract
Resign Austin Reaves to a 5-year, $150 million contract
Resign Luke Kennard to a veteran minimum
Sign Tari Eason to a 3-year, $48 million contract
Sign Quentin Grimes to a 2-year, $24 million contract
Sign Isaiah Hartenstein to a 2-year, $58 million contract
Why this works:
It's Luka's turn.
The Lakers now have a long-term structure.
Trading Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht for Obi Toppin gives the Lakers backup wing depth and extra shooting. Obi Toppin is also a lob threat that will fit well with Luka and Reaves. It is expected that the Lakers will move off of Vanderbilt and Knecht eventually, so this move isn't much of a shocker. The same goes for the Pacers, who are expected to make money-saving moves this summer.
In free agency, the Lakers clean up. Letting LeBron and Maxi Kleber walk clears up $63 million and opens up plenty of opportunity for Los Angeles.
These opportunities include bringing back Smart, Ayton, Hachimura, Reaves, and Kennard, which bolsters their depth and fills up the roster.
Los Angeles also brings in Tari Eason and Quentin Grimes to provide perimeter defense and off-ball shooting, filling the gap left by LeBron's departure. The Lakers also signed Isaiah Hartenstein to be the starting center, providing rim protection, rebounding, and low post passing.
These moves round out Los Angeles' rotation and build a roster fit for contention.
Their timeline is defined by Luka Doncic, so they must build a roster around his skillset.
In a tough Western Conference, you need to make tough decisions to compete.
A new era of Lakers basketball is upon us.
Los Angeles Lakers potential 2026-27 starting lineup + bench:
PG: Luka Doncic SG: Austin Reaves SF: Tari Eason PF: Rui Hachimura C: Isaiah Hartenstein
G: Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Quentin Grimes F: Jake LaRavia, Obi Toppin C: DeAndre Ayton