Lakers Free Agency Week One Recap: LeBron’s L.A. Future in Question and Showtime’s Newest Big Man
A busy week for the Lakers raised a ton of questions amid free agency.
Does LeBron believe he can still win in L.A.? After securing a starting center, how will Rob Pelinka balance out the rest of the roster?
June 29th was the deadline for the league’s players to opt in or out of their respective player options for the last year of their contracts. Dorian Finney-Smith, whom the Lakers acquired last season for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three future second-round picks, decided to opt out of his player option and sign a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Lakers for the 2025-2026 season, but that didn’t come without the trade speculation that stemmed from statements made by his agent, Rich Paul.
LeBron Monitors the Lakers’ Offseason Moves
Paul told Shams Charania of ESPN that LeBron wants to compete for championships for as many years as he has left in the NBA and that James is “closely monitoring” how the Lakers construct their roster and will evaluate if they will head into the season with a team that can contend for a title.
LeBron has typically opted out of his player options to sign a new contract, usually for two years. He’s never opted into the last year of his deal and is now set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026-2027 offseason.
In Paul’s statement to ESPN, he said:
“He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career”.
Rich Paul, however, did emphasize to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and NBA reporter Chris Haynes that there have been no trade talks with the Lakers. While four teams did reach out inquiring about James’ availability, those talks were not “substantive.”
LeBron’s retirement is also up in the air. Next season could very well be his last, or he just as likely could play two or more seasons. James retiring as a Laker is still the safest bet, but the pressure to win now is even more apparent.
Jake LaRavia Heads Lakers’ First Free Agency Move
As free agency opened up on Monday at 3 pm PST, L.A.’s first move was agreeing to sign Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million deal.
LaRavia, who shares an agent with his new teammate Austin Reaves, is a 6’7 forward who will enter his fourth NBA season. He averaged 6.9 points per game, 3.9 assists, and a career high 42.3% from three. LaRavia provides size, shooting, and the tools to become a good/great defender off the bench.
DeAndre Ayton Heads to L.A.
After shocking news came Sunday night that the Portland Trail Blazers would agree to buy out DeAndre Ayton’s contract, he immediately became the Lakers’ number one target. Ayton was initially one of the many names linked to the Lakers via trade, where L.A. would’ve had to trade for his $34 million contract.
Instead, Ayton signs with the Lakers on a two-year, $16 million deal (with a player option in the second year) and fills the Lakers’ desperate need at the starting center position. Ayton averaged 14.4 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, and a block per game. He can shoot the midrange jumper at an efficient clip, provides elite rebounding, and serves as a good lob threat in the pick and roll.
Jaxson Hayes Returns to the Lakers and The Anticipation for Future Moves
Jaxson Hayes agreed to return to the Lakers on a one-year, $3 million deal Thursday afternoon. Hayes averaged 6.8 points per game on 72.2% shooting to go along with 4.8 rebounds and is so far the third player to sign with the Lakers this offseason.
L.A. has its eyes set on several free agents such as De’Anthony Melton, Al Horford, and Damian Lillard. Bradley Beal is rumored to have started buyout negotiations with the Phoenix Suns. In the event that he becomes a free agent, it wouldn’t hurt for the Lakers to consider bringing him in to aid their bench scoring.
After splitting their midlevel exception ($14.1 million) between LaRavia and Ayton, the Lakers will only have the bi-annual exception ($4.6 million) and veteran minimum contracts to offer to any free agents they wish to sign from here on out.
While trades and signings can’t be finalized until July 6th, the Lakers are projected to have a full 15-man roster and will need to clear spots through potential trades or waive certain players.
Even though the Lakers have not made any trades as of yet, they remain vigilant in bolstering the roster’s needs within the coming days.
PHOTO: Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images
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