Lakers Free Agency Re-Signing Priority List
The Los Angeles Lakers have a pivotal offseason ahead with many decisions that Rob Pelinka and the front office will have to make.
While the roster is in clear need of upgrading around Luka Doncic, they still need to address their impending free agents, with notable players like Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and more hitting unrestricted free agency.
With that said, here is the ranking for the most important free agents for LA to bring back.
Lakers Re-Signing Priority List
1. Austin Reaves (Player Option)
Austin Reaves will decline his $14.9 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency. Reaves has emerged as a star and is likely to receive a major contract that could be in the range of $35-40 million annually.
There are multiple teams that have expressed interest in Reaves, but he and the Lakers are interested in finding a long-term deal.
Doncic has also been a major advocate for keeping Reaves, wanting to play with him long-term in LA. In the 2025-26 season, Reaves likely would’ve been an All-Star, but went down with an injury. That was the story of the season for the 27-year-old, who played at a very high level when on the floor, but dealt with multiple injuries.
In the 51 games he played, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. He shot 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.
While some have doubted the fit of Doncic and Reaves in the backcourt, they both enjoy playing together, and Doncic proved in Dallas that he can play with another All-Star guard and take them to the NBA Finals, as he did alongside Kyrie Irving. The key is building the rest of the roster right around them.
It also doesn’t make sense to let Reaves walk because they would lose him for nothing. Some have brought up the idea of trading Reaves, but as an unrestricted free agent, he controls his own destiny, and it could be difficult to convince him to agree to a sign-and-trade.
Reaves is a talented player and the Lakers should lock him up to a multi-year deal.
2. LeBron James (UFA)
LeBron James is the other Lakers star who is hitting unrestricted free agency. The 41-year-old continues to defy father time and play at a high level, as he led LA to a first-round victory with Luka Doncic out and Reaves missing multiple games in the series.
James appeared in 60 games, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 51.5 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from deep.
He adapted to being the third option behind Doncic and Reaves before being thrust back into being the number one option in the postseason due to the star backcourt’s injuries.
James is still one of the best players in the world, and it would be wise for LA to bring him back. The Lakers and James have expressed an interest in continuing their partnership.
However, the price tag could be the deciding factor. James is still worth a big deal given his production, but to build a championship roster around Doncic, Reaves, and himself, taking a pay cut may be the best way to add the complementary pieces needed to rival the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James has shown a willingness to take a pay cut in the past, and LA will hope he considers it once again.
3. Marcus Smart (Player Option)
Marcus Smart was a homerun signing by Pelinka and the front office in the 2025 offseason. Smart was the Lakers’ best defender and set the tone every night.
He appeared in 62 games, averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The 32-year-old shot 39.5 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from distance. Smart elevated his play in the playoffs, averaging 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.4 steals, and a block, shooting 39.4 percent from the floor and 34 percent from behind the arc.
Smart has a $5.4 million player option, which he is likely to decline, as he outplayed that deal. LA must re-sign Smart, as he is still an elite defender and fits well alongside their stars.
4. Jaxson Hayes (UFA)
Jaxson Hayes is another player who had some big moments for the purple and gold in the 2025-26 season. Hayes has been a quality backup center for LA, fitting as a lob threat for Doncic.
He averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting 75.6 percent from the floor. The 25-year-old big man at times closed games when Deandre Ayton was struggling.
Hayes also has a close partnership with Doncic, as he got his Slovenian citizenship to join Doncic on the Slovenian National Team. After suffering the injury, Doncic will not appear in those games this summer, but it speaks to their relationship.
While Hayes likely isn’t a starting-caliber player on a championship team, he has shown he can be an effective backup.
5. Rui Hachimura (UFA)
Rui Hachimura increased his value ahead of free agency with a phenomenal postseason. Hachimura has grown into one of the best three-point shooters in basketball, as he holds the highest playoff three-point percentage in league history at 51.6 percent.
In the 2026 postseason, Hachimura averaged 17.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 54.9 percent from the field and 56.9 percent from three.
In an ideal world, LA would re-sign him to be a bench scorer and shooter. However, with his great play in the playoffs, he may have played himself out of their price range, as they should prioritize bringing back Reaves, James, and Smart, while making upgrades at center and adding more 3&D forwards.
6. Luke Kennard (UFA)
The Lakers made one move at the 2026 trade deadline, sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the lefty shooter Luke Kennard.
Kennard is one of the league’s best three-point shooters and was effective for LA. The 29-year-old averaged nine points per game along with 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, shooting 52.7 percent from the floor and 44.8 percent from deep.
Kennard’s three-point shooting ability is extremely valuable, and it would be great to have him back for their bench unit. However, it will come down to the price tag and addressing their other priorities.
7. Deandre Ayton (Player Option)
Deandre Ayton was a mixed bag for the Lakeshow in the 2025-26 season. Ayton played in 72 games, averaging 12.5 points, eight rebounds, and a block, shooting 67.1 percent from the field.
The 27-year-old had lots of ups and downs throughout the regular season and playoffs and holds an $8.1 million player option. If Ayton opts out in search of a longer-term deal, LA should let him walk, re-sign Hayes to be their backup, and pursue an upgrade at starting center.
8. Nick Smith Jr. (Team Option)
Nick Smith Jr. signed a two-year deal with the Lakers at the end of the season, including a team option of $2.5 million for the 2026-27 season.
Smith Jr. had some solid moments for LA, appearing in 30 games, averaging 6.2 points and an assist, shooting 43.5 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from distance.
However, he is behind many guards in the rotation, which makes declining the team option for another roster spot to use in free agency more valuable.
9. Maxi Kleber (UFA)
The oft-forgotten part of the Doncic trade is Maxi Kleber. Kleber didn’t have much of a role in the rotation, and it’s best to let him leave in free agency.
The 34-year-old is a solid locker room veteran, but the Lakers need more depth and rotational pieces to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder.
