After an eight year partnership, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are officially moving on from each other.
This wasn’t hard to see coming after LA acquired Luka Doncic last February, as they now seem ready to give him the keys to the franchise and build around him. Doncic is entering the prime years of his career and the Lakers want to start contending with him now, so moving on from James and passing the torch makes a lot of sense.
The summer of 2026 has always been pegged as the summer LA gets serious about building around Doncic. With free agency opening, they are going to be active, and can be free to make the move they have been waiting to make.
The Lakers finally have meaningful cap space to pursue a center
General manager Rob Pelinka is operating with that in mind, as he has reportedly already met with both Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren on day one. LA is also seen as the favorites to sign Sandro Mamukelashvii, who would be a great stretch big for them.
There is no doubt that the Lakers need frontcourt reinforcements, even with Deandre Ayton set to come back next season. With both James and even Rui Hachimura leaving as well, the power forward spot needs some work. LA did pursue Dean Wade, but he ended up signing with Philly.
Either way, the Lakers have to be aggressive in remaking their frontcourt. This is because when he was with the Mavericks, Doncic had a litany of bigs surrounding him from P.J. Washington to Daniel Gafford to Dereck Lively.
Kessler should be their number one target, as he is a double-double threat, a very strong rim-protector, and can serve as a lob threat for Doncic as well. Duren looks a little less likely, since it has been reported that the Pistons will match any offer sheet he signs. Obviously he is more talented than Kessler, but will command a lot more money, and LA likely won’t be able to get him anyways.
What the Lakers do with their cap space will be something to watch this offseason and it would be surprising if they roll into next season with Ayton as their starting big once again. They have to take advantage now while they have the money to do so, especially if they want to keep up in the West next year and not waste another season of Doncic’s prime.
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