After pulling off the biggest in-season trade in NBA history, the Lakers were unable to advance past the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Exciting as Los Angeles' superstar duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James proved to be, the roster as a whole proved incapable of winning enough on the postseason stage. With the first three months of the Doncic-James pairing in the rearview, the Lakers' focus will quickly shift to building a roster primed for short- and long-term success.
The first order of business will be to assure the 40-year-old James is set to return for a 23rd NBA season while negotiations for a Doncic contract extension loom. From there, L.A. will shift its focus to bringing in players who fit the mold of JJ Redick's vision and the archetype that complements Doncic and James.
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Here's what's next for the Lakers and the steps they can take toward building a title contender for the upcoming season.
What's next for the Lakers?
The Lakers head into the offseason with clear roster needs, particularly in the frontcourt.
When Doncic was introduced as a Laker in February, team president Rob Pelinka said L.A.'s "roster has continued work to do to become complete," before adding. "We know we have a need for a big."
Pelinka called the trade deadline market for bigs "dry" and said that, "in terms of a big move for that position, it's probably more realistic that would be something that comes in the offseason."
Los Angeles did move to acquire Charlotte's Mark Williams ahead of the deadline, but the trade was infamously rescinded, causing some to speculate if the failed physical was related to a bigger splash the Lakers could pull off in the offseason.
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Any potential trade package of significance would include the Lakers' 2031 first-round pick, which is a valuable trade chip they were able to hold on to in the Doncic deal. Based on Doncic's history of success, the Lakers will try to acquire an athletic big man capable of catching lobs and protecting the rim.
Expect L.A. to be relentless in that pursuit.
Another part of the formula will see Los Angeles prioritize shooting from 3-and-D wings. The shot creation of both James and Doncic leads to many open looks for their teammates, and a deadeye shooter would fit perfectly in that scheme and within Redick's vision for his team.
On the other side of the floor, the perimeter defense from a 3-and-D player will make up for Doncic's defensive shortcomings and James' age-related deficiencies.
L.A.'s postseason loss to the Timberwolves has exposed a lack of consistent depth or a general distrust of depth pieces from Redick. Los Angeles has always been a free-agent destination, but having prime Doncic and James together should make Tinseltown even more attractive for free agents.
The Lakers can address any of the above needs as well as more creation from a depth piece. The lack of a consistent reserve impacting each game contributed to L.A.'s downfall in the postseason, and it could be one of the biggest needs addressed.
Retooling the roster will require some savvy work around the salary cap, but recent history has proven that Pelinka is capable.
Here are some of the parameters and situations he will work with.
Lakers free agents
Los Angeles has five free agents this offseason, four of whom saw minutes at the center position this season. The team will have no choice but to address its frontcourt depth with Jaxson Hayes, Christian Koloko and Alex Len all entering free agency.
- Jaxson Hayes (Unestricted)
- Christian Koloko (Restricted)
- Alex Len (Unrestricted)
- Markieff Morris (Unrestricted)
Lakers' future draft picks, explained
The Lakers do not own a first-round pick in the upcoming draft and have sent out multiple picks in upcoming years. NBA rules prevent teams from sending first-round picks in consecutive years, meaning L.A.'s 2031 first-round pick is the one chip it can offer in a potential deal.
- 2025: Own second-round pick
- 2026: Own first-round pick
- 2028: Own first-round pick
- 2030: Own first-round pick
- 2031: Own first-round pick
Lakers 2025-26 roster, contracts
As it stands, Los Angeles will have as many as 13 returning players for the 2025-26 NBA season. James is among the three Lakers with a player option for the upcoming season.
In addition to the three players who can opt out to enter free agency, Shake Milton's $3.0 million salary for 2025-26 is non-guaranteed.
| Player | Position | Salary | Age |
| LeBron James | F | $52,627,153 (Player Option) | 41 |
| Luka Doncic | G | $45,999,660 | 26 |
| Rui Hachimura | F | $18,259,259 | 27 |
| Dorian Finney-Smith | F | $15,378,480 (Player Option) | 32 |
| Austin Reaves | G | $13,937,574 | 27 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | F | $11,571,429 | 26 |
| Gabe Vincent | G | $11,500,000 | 29 |
| Maxi Kleber | F | $11,000,000 | 34 |
| Dalton Knecht | F | $4,010,160 | 24 |
| Shake Milton | G | $3,000,000 (Non-Guaranteed) | 29 |
| Jordan Goodwin | G | $2,349,578 (Player Option) | 27 |
| Bronny James | G | $1,955,377 | 21 |
| Trey Jemison | F | Two-Way | 25 |
MORE LAKERS:
- What went wrong for Lakers during disappointing finish to season?
- Grading JJ Redick's first season as Lakers head coach
- Extension deadline, terms of Luka Doncic's contract
- Realistic trade & free agent targets for Lakers in offseason
- What LeBron has said about retirement rumors