Let the Luka Dončić era begin — where the Lakers go from here after LeBron James’ stunning exit

LeBron James will play a record-extending 24th NBA season in 2026-27. 

But it won’t be for the Lakers, marking the end of his tenure donning the Purple and Gold after eight straight seasons with the Lakers — the most consecutive seasons he’s spent with a single franchise during his legendary career. 

And while there’s uncertainty about James’ next team, with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers among the teams pursuing James, the Lakers received certainty Tuesday morning before the start of free agency: They can, and will, fully entrench themselves in the Luka Dončić era as they look to build a championship-level roster around the superstar guard. 

And they’re equipped with the resources and optionality to do so. 

The Lakers entered free agency with the ability to create over $50 million in cap space depending on what they do with the rights (and cap holds) with their own free agents outside of James (Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber).

And with only seven players officially on the roster (Dončić, Jarred Vanderbilt, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Adou Thiero) entering Tuesday, the team has a lot of holes to fill.

The Lakers already took care of their top priority of the offseason by agreeing to terms with Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million contract to pair the star guard alongside Dončić for the team’s starting backcourt for the foreseeable future. 

But there are still clear needs. 

Even with Deandre Ayton, who was the Lakers’ starting center during the 2025-26 season, opting into his $8.1 million player option for 2026-27 Monday, the team is still targeting other big men — which was one of Dončić’s main desires entering the offseason.

The Lakers have targeted restricted free agents Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, both of whom would be clear upgrades over Ayton as the starting big man. 

While Duren is coming off an All-Star and All-NBA third-team season, Kessler has been one of the league’s best rim protectors since entering the league in 2022; the latter fits the archetype of the kind of big man Dončić likes to play alongside: rim-running, shot-blocking, high-motor and stays engaged even when the offensive touches aren’t consistent.

And both players have had contract disputes with their incumbent teams entering free agency. 

Duren has scheduled meetings with teams besides the Pistons, including the Lakers as well as the Sacramento Kings, to start free agency after initial disappointment with negotiations with the Pistons. 

Kessler is also having meetings with other teams starting Tuesday afternoon, with the Lakers believed to be among those teams, after the Jazz offered a five-year, $140 deal to return to Utah. 

There’s an inherent risk in going after restricted free agents: The incumbent teams would have until 8:59 p.m. PT on July 7 to match an offer sheet from an outside team. And if they did so, the Lakers would be at jeopardy of missing out on signing other free agents – including their own.

But with multiple potential big men targets already on the move, the Lakers’ eternal options are becoming more limited.

The Lakers are also targeting Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy reported that Robinson’s return to New York is unlikely after Knicks owner James Dolan made it clear to avoid going over the second apron.

Though there are durability questions about Robinson, in addition to the reality that he hasn’t been a full-time starter in over two years, he also fits the mold of the style of big man the Lakers need. 

But even after addressing the center position, the Lakers must also address their need for depth, shooting and perimeter defense on the wings. 

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Restricted free agent Peyton Watson would fit alongside Dončić and Reaves as a starting forward, but the Denver Nuggets seem confident they’ll be able to re-sign the 23-year-old, 6-foot-8 wing out of UCLA.

Dean Wade, a 3-and-D part-time starting forward for the Cavaliers who’s an unrestricted free agent, has received interest from the Lakers. 

Ziaire Williams, who had his $6.3 million 2026-27 team option with the Brooklyn Nets declined, is a target for the Lakers after his career-year in 2025-26. He could develop into the reliable athletic, defensive-minded wing the Lakers need alongside Dončić and Reaves.

Some of their options have been taken away, but the Lakers still have an abundance of directions they can go this offseason. 

And with James gone, they must now take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. 

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