LeBron, Reaves Top Lakers’ Off-Season Agenda; Front Office Adds Planned
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Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said Tuesday that the organization is prepared to re-sign LeBron James if the 41-year-old opts to enter free agency this summer. Speaking at his end-of-season news conference, Pelinka called James “a player that has honored the game” and stressed that the club intends to “honor him back” by giving him the family time he needs before making a decision about next year.
Contract approach could shape talks
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James believes the Lakers have occasionally taken him for granted, and a source close to the forward said Los Angeles tried to nudge him out following last season’s trade for Luka Dončić. Even so, the relationship was described as largely harmonious during the 2025-26 campaign.
When James last re-upped with the Lakers, he accepted slightly less than the maximum salary and indicated he might have taken a steeper cut had the team landed one of his preferred free agents. A source familiar with his thinking told ESPN the four-time MVP will again be flexible, but will look for a clear organizational plan rather than a specific dollar amount. “The Lakers can’t just offer James a number. They have to offer a why behind that number,” an agent said. “Their plan for any discount would have to be coherent.”
Reaves expected to draw swift offer
Pelinka also confirmed the Lakers want to bring back Austin Reaves, who is widely expected to decline his player option and test free agency. “He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear he wants it to continue,” Pelinka said. “We feel the same way.”
Redick outlines on-court priorities
Head coach JJ Redick, appearing alongside Pelinka, said his focus for 2026-27 is to tighten the defense and develop a deeper bench. Redick echoed the desire to reunite James, Reaves and Dončić. “We want that core to be back together,” he said, praising Dončić’s conditioning and leadership throughout the season and during his current six-week injury layoff.
Roster designed around Dončić
Pelinka called building a team that “retrofitted” around Dončić the front office’s top priority. “Clearly, he’s that leader and that player for the future that we want to build the right way around,” he said.
Two assistant GMs to be hired
The Lakers have begun interviews to fill two new assistant general manager positions. One hire will oversee pro and draft scouting along with player development, while the other will concentrate on analytics, salary-cap strategy and overall team planning. “It’s not that we’ve had holes,” Pelinka noted. “We just want to add more to that.”
The Lakers enter the offseason with decisions on James and Reaves looming, a roster to tailor around Dončić and an expanded front office still to assemble.
Source: Hoops Rumors
