Lakers offseason outlook: Will L.A. finally put the proper pieces around Luka Dončić?
The Lakers' future is all about Luka, but getting players who fit their stars has been a struggle for the franchise.
As the final buzzer sounded and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder , the organization enters the summer with questions — and plenty of them . Will LeBron James return or will he seek greener pastures? What about Austin Reaves and his pending free agency?
Will the franchise embrace the presence of Luka Dončić and tailor a roster around him, loaded with pieces that actually fit, instead of pushing more on-ball players toward him? That last question, in particular, is one that should be heavily prioritized. Neither James nor Reaves has the same importance or influence as Dončić, meaning building around the Slovenian is an outright necessity.
Dončić, who averaged 33. 5 points, 7. 7 rebounds, and 8.
3 assists this season, is under contract for at least two more years — his age-27 and age-28 seasons — and it’s crucial the Lakers capitalize on his physical prime. Let's get into their summer. 2025-26 finish Record: 53-29, fourth in Western Conference.