The Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly make changes to the roster this summer to build a team more suited to maximize the talent of superstar Luka Doncic, though there are several different ways the franchise might go about it.
L.A. has some draft capital it can use in trade talks after backing out of a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams following what the team said was a failed physical. Williams and his agent vehemently disputed that assertion in the aftermath of the broken trade, and the Eastern Conference big man subtly celebrated the Lakers’ playoff exit on Wednesday night, April 30, by posting a smiley face emoji on X just after the contest went final.
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Los Angeles may also have some salary cap room to pursue meaningful free-agent acquisitions, particularly if LeBron James decides to opt out of the player option on the final year of his contract and renegotiate a multiyear deal at a lower annual price point, which some NBA analysts have suggested he will consider in the interest of capturing a fifth championship ring prior to his retirement. The team owes James a little more than $52.6 million in 2025-26 as the deal currently stands.
The third and most seismic pathway to rebuilding the roster, which gained some steam among a frustrated fan base on social media following the Lakers’ playoff exit, is to trade Austin Reaves. Reaves is the team’s third star behind Doncic and James, and put up a stellar offensive year in 2024-25, averaging a career high 20.2 points and 5.8 assists on nearly 38% shooting from behind the 3-point line in his fourth NBA campaign.
“Reaves actually gotta go in the summer,” a popular LeBron James parody account posted to X Wednesday night.
“Can’t miss wide open 3s consistently,” another X user chimed in with agreement.
“I’m over him too,” a third poster added. “I was willing to say anybody besides him, Luka or Bron. But NAH, he gonna be included in the trade package as well.”
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Reaves would undeniably up the return L.A. could get back in any deal. However, he can become a free agent following the 2025-26 season and hit the open market, which might give potential suitors pause.
And seeing as how that route will allow Reaves the opportunity to make the most money possible on his next contract, it is unlikely events play out any other way.
Related: Mark Williams’ Single Emoji Said It All After Lakers’ Final Loss to Minnesota Timberwolves
