The Los Angeles Lakers have a depth problem that general manager Rob Pelinka must fix this offseason. It's an issue that prevented the Lakers from being true contenders in 2025-26, even once they hit a special stride in March and established peak chemistry between their star trio of Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
Imagining a healthy Luka in the picture for these playoffs, the Lakers and their starved depth would've still been absolutely no match for the reigning champs of the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who just deposed a Luka-less Lakers squad in four games in the second round.
The Thunder are simply a level (or more) above the Lakers right now, talent-wise (as are the San Antonio Spurs), and there's nothing LA could have done to beat OKC. The Lakers actually played a good series overall, limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for much of it, and yet they still got swept. That shows you the talent disparity and the challenge that Pelinka faces this summer as he aims to retool the roster around Luka and Reaves, the latter of whom is expected to sign a new deal with LA.
Figuring out the LeBron situation first is a must for Rob Pelinka
After Reaves is signed -- or while those negotiations are underway -- Pelinka will have to figure out whether or not LeBron is coming back to the purple and gold in 2026-27. Reaves said after Game 4 that he wants to play with LeBron again. Luka has no reason to dislike a Bron return, considering James has accepted his role as third fiddle in the Lakers' offense.
LeBron's self-assessment of his future following Game 4 didn't answer any questions or provide any hints. It's unknown at this point where Bron will be playing basketball next season, if anywhere. Pelinka and LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, are probably already in conversation. It'll be the main narrative to watch in Lakerland between now and mid-June, when a deal should be reached (or abandoned), according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Once the LeBron and Reaves situations are taken care of, Pelinka's real mission will begin -- building depth around Dončić. He'll need to add another impact big man and at least two impact wings of the 3-and-D variety, preferably on the younger/lengthier side.
One good thing working in Pelinka's favor is that he's had somewhat of a hot hand of late when it comes to adding depth pieces around Luka.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has been sort of hot recently (will it continue?)
Whereas acquiring Deandre Ayton was an overall miss, Pelinka should be lauded for adding Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard to the Lakers recently, as both guys have been good fits. It'll be interesting to see how Pelinka proceeds with the free-agent Kennard this summer. Reports suggest that the Lakers want to bring Kennard back, but it remains to be seen if the money will work. Kennard surely upped his value during a stellar first-round series against the Houston Rockets. He'll have his fair share of suitors outside of LA.
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