"Los Ángeles Lakers: The Offseason Begins Now"

As the clock ran down to all zeros, no more whistles airing out. A hard
fought second round playoff series to defending champion Oklahoma
City Thunder; which resulted in a deep clean of four games. No more

playoff games to plan, travel to central time zone and fight another forty-
eight minutes. The 2026 Los Angeles Lakers season has ended with a

lot of unknown.

In what's been a season of trial, error and injury filled with marquee
players, a very crucial and pivotal summer starts now. Second year
head coach JJ Redick had back to back fifty win seasons; advancing to
the second round in 2026. Losing to the defending champs... And
against whistles which didn't go their way. But the Lakers had a solid
year... It's not good enough if you ask the lifelong fans and what's
expected. You'd be fooling yourself over and over.

From my introspect, this team overachieved in 2026. Not having LeBron
James to begin the season and still stayed afloat. Luka Doncic played
well offensively prior to his late season injury which kept him out all
postseason. Austin Reaves was a sure disappointment when needed
the most; which I'll detail here shortly. Solid players stepped up in the
absence of Reaves in Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura. Veteran
Marcus Smart revive his career by showing the value he can bring.
Here's where fans should be very cautious and voice concerns with two
players.

Austin Reaves in a contract year played himself emotionally out of
control in the postseason. A late season injury hampered his surge and
hurt the Lakers offensive flow. Taking bad shots in the Houston series
(games four and five.) A horrendous number of more bad shots versus

OKC. This may have cost him millions in securing another deal with Los
Angeles. A disappearing playoff act; which GM Rob Pelinka will hold in
contract negotiations. Not the kinda of role player stats fans expect.

Now... Another player who failed miserably to even show any heart is
center DeAndre Ayton. Yes, the former number one pick in 2018 who
can be a force, but lacks motivation. Doesn't play with a sense of
urgency and Laker standards. Voicing his concerns middle of the
season about his role offensively. He had one job: defend and rebound;
get a couple buckets here and there. It's another missed opportunity to
revive his career and fans will turn on him. The scapegoat is cemented
in Ayton and he'll never hear the end of it. You're a seven footer and
can't play with heart? Is he worth bringing back for another year with no
identity? Jaxson Hayes played better in his role than Ayton did and
that's saying a lot.

The burning question every Laker fan, media outlet and content creator
in the world. Is this LeBron James' last season in Los Angeles? His
contract is up and there's not much he can do other than see what
happens in free agency. With James' career, age forty-one coming off
season twenty-three, is he apart of the current or time to move on?

This was the longest tenure James has spent with any team and played
out his contracts. A solid run with a title in 2020 plus much more in his
hall of fame career. New ownership will look to build this team around
franchise centerpiece Luka Doncic. GM Rob Pelinka will be on the clock
and move aggressive in keeping this team competitive. If James were to
come back, will it be for a team friendly contract to fill the roster?

With big fish in the pond come July, Pelinka can't wait on James'
decision without knowing if he's invested or seeking the proper swan
song elsewhere. Names like Giannis, Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic, and

whoever else is looking to cash in. Even with guys like Reaves, Ayton
and others who can be used as trade packages will have to be moved in
a timely manner.

The Lakers trade for superstars or sign them in free agency; even if it's
done during midnight. Big fish will stay in the pond for a few days and
we've seen teams plunge their draft equity to reel in whoever is going to
make them a championship contender. This is crucial in building a team
around Doncic and winning now. As James will listen to his inner circle,
family and review the landscape, Los Angeles must work as if he's not
going to be in the fold.

If the right deal comes available and James feels taking less at this
stage of a hall of fame career, both sides can make it work. If winning a
title is the forefront of a season, sacrificing will give the Lakers plenty of
flexibility to make one last push with James playing his "farewell
season." We don't know what'll happen, but rest assured everyone will
be following this very closely.