Top 10 Lakers Free Agency Targets in 2026 Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers have a pivotal free agency period ahead after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.

The Lakers were without superstar Luka Doncic for the entire playoffs due to his hamstring injury. However, LeBron James led LA to a first-round victory over the Houston Rockets.

Overall, it’s a flawed roster that Rob Pelinka and the front office need to tweak to compete for a title. With owner Mark Walter taking over, the Lakers will be adding two assistant general managers and more resources in their front office.

With a ton of cap space and new executives on the way, the purple and gold could be aggressive in free agency. Here are the ten best targets for the LakeShow to pursue in free agency.

Lakers Free Agency Targets

Jalen Duren (RFA)

Jalen Duren is coming off a career year in the 2025-26 season. Duren averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 65 percent from the field.

The 22-year-old big man was a target for the Lakers at the 2025 trade deadline before pivoting to Mark Williams, a deal that was then rescinded.

He would be a great young center who could elevate his game even more playing alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic. However, Duren has struggled in the playoffs, which has lowered his value ahead of free agency.

In the postseason, he is averaging 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 52 percent from the floor.

With his struggles in the postseason, it would be risky to give Duren a big offer sheet, but the only way to poach him from the Pistons in restricted free agency would be to overpay him.

Walker Kessler (RFA)

Walker Kessler is another center in restricted free agency that the Lakers could pursue. Kessler only appeared in five games in the 2025-26 season before suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The 24-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 70.3 percent from the field and 75 percent from three across those five games.

In a bigger sample size in the 2024-25 season, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.4 blocks, shooting 66.3 percent from the floor and 17.6 percent from deep. The seven-foot-two big man would be a clear upgrade at center for LA if the Jazz don’t match an offer in free agency.

Peyton Watson (RFA)

Another target that the Lakers should pursue in restricted free agency is 3&D forward Peyton Watson. Watson had a breakout season for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks. The 23-year-old shot 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from behind the arc.

Watson is one of the best defensive forwards on the market and would fit well alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The Nuggets have some financial restraints, and unless they are able to move off of Cam Johnson or Christian Braun, it’s possible that Watson could be poached in free agency. Pelinka should strongly consider throwing an offer sheet at Watson.

Tari Eason (RFA)

Tari Eason is another defensive forward that LA could target this offseason. Eason is a restricted free agent and is coming off a solid season for the Houston Rockets, as he averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals.

The 25-year-old shot 41.6 percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from downtown. Eason struggled with his three-point shot at times during the season, but his size and defense make him a potential fit for the Lakers roster.

Isaiah Hartenstein (Team Option)

Another option at center that the purple and gold could pursue is Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein has a $28.5 million team option, which the Thunder could decline due to their financial restrictions.

They could also accept Hartenstein’s team option and potentially trade him to shed the salary. The 28-year-old big man appeared in 47 games in the 2025-26 season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 62.2 percent from the field.

While Hartenstein is not an elite shot blocker, he has proven to be a good defender. On offense, Hartenstein provides value as a rebounder, a solid passer, and the ability to finish around the rim. He is one of the best centers on the market, and Pelinka should pursue him.

Lu Dort (Team Option)

The other player from the Thunder that the Lakers could acquire is Lu Dort. Dort also has a team option, worth $18.2 million.

The 27-year-old appeared in 69 games, averaging 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, shooting 38.5 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from distance.

Dort is one of the best defensive wings in basketball, and while his offensive game has been inconsistent, he would fit exceptionally well next to Doncic and Reaves. However, he may be a trade target rather than a free agency target depending on how Oklahoma City handles the team option.

Robert Williams III (UFA)

Robert Williams III is a phenomenal fit to pair with Doncic. Williams III is a great lob threat and rim protector, the two most important qualities you want for a center with Doncic.

When Doncic took the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, he did so with Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford.

Williams is an unrestricted free agent, coming off a season where he played in 59 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 6.7 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and 1.5 blocks per game. He shot 70.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three on 23 attempts.

He has had a ton of injuries over the years, which is a cause for concern, but his fit and the fact that he played 59 games, the most he has since the 2021-22 season, make him a great target for LA.

Mitchell Robinson (UFA)

Mitchell Robinson is another lob threat and shot blocker who would fit well as a center for Doncic and the Lakers.

Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent after appearing in 60 games for the New York Knicks as their backup center. The 28-year-old averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, shooting 72.3 percent from the floor.

Pelinka could offer him a larger role with the Lakers than the Knicks can with Towns as their starting center.

Quentin Grimes (UFA)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes will hit free agency after another productive season. Grimes is an unrestricted free agent and could be a target for the Lakers as a 6th man and bench scorer.

The 26-year-old averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, shooting 45 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from three.

Grimes also has some chemistry with Doncic, as they played together on the Mavericks in the 2024-25 season before both of them were traded.

Although the top priorities in the offseason are to add at center and 3&D forwards, adding a scoring punch off the bench in Grimes, who is also a solid defender, would be a quality addition.

Andrew Wiggins (Player Option)

Another player whom the Lakers have previously targeted is forward Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins could opt out of his $30.1 million player option to enter unrestricted free agency.

While that may not be likely, if Wiggins is seeking a multi-year deal, he could opt out. Wiggins would add size, defense, and scoring to the lineup.

In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and a block per game. Wiggins was efficient, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 41.4 percent from downtown.

He would be a phenomenal fit for the purple and gold, and they will hope that he reaches free agency.

Pelinka and the Lakers front office have a ton to consider this offseason, including the impending free agency of Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and many others. However, they can’t just run it back, and they need to consider these 10 free agents.