The Los Angeles Lakers have a ton of top-end talent between LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. They have maybe more star power than any other team out West. But what separates the Lakers from teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs is depth. Until they address that, it's hard to view them as real title contenders.
Thankfully, they have a clear path to achieving that depth this offseason. Between AR-15 and Doncic, the Lakers have enough scoring and playmaking to the point where spending nearly a third of the team's cap space on LeBron is counterproductive.
With the King set to be a free agent this summer, LA now has a chance to bring in a real supporting cast. They can address the need for a 3-and-D wing and rim-protecting five-man.
This is something other people in the NBA world continue to preach, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who recently echoed the same sentiment.
The Luka Doncic era should officially begin this offseason
The allure of keeping LeBron around for what could be his final season is understandable. But when is enough going to be enough?
At this point in his career, LeBron's goals aren't aligning with those of Doncic, Reaves, or even JJ Redick. Sure, winning would still matter, but at this stage, much of the focus naturally shifts toward legacy.
When Doncic took the Dallas Mavericks to the finals just two seasons ago, there was a recipe for building a winner around the Slovenian superstar. LA has a chance to replicate it.
Doncic shared the backcourt with a dynamic guard in Kyrie Irving. He was surrounded by 3-and-D wings like Derrick Jones Jr. and P.J. Washington, plus lob-threat rim protectors in Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. They already have the dynamic backcourt mate for him in Reaves. With the money they free up after a James departure, they could fill these other holes.
When LA made the move last year to acquire Doncic, they were letting fans know they were focused on the future. During the 2025 offseason and this 2025-26 campaign, they've, in a way, gone back on that.
Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA. While it feels like Doncic is committed to the Lakers, if they don't start shifting their focus away from LeBron, who is to say he would not feel disrespected?
Doncic can shoulder enough of a workload that you don't need to pair him with other stars, as he's at his best when surrounded by reliable role players. This offseason shouldn't be about giving LeBron one final hurrah---it's about maximizing the Doncic window.