The Los Angeles Lakers officially began the Luka Doncic era at the start of the 2025-26 season. Though it was clear from the moment the February 2025 trade went through that Doncic was the new franchise player, his status was cemented by a summer that included several subtle statements.
As the Lakers look to give Doncic a chance to win his first career championship and thus help him meet the standard of all franchise greats, however, they must prioritize the future.
It may not be what fans want to hear, but the Lakers have too much to gain from inactivity to risk the bright future that's ahead of them. Los Angeles has gone through the past two periods of free agency with limited cap flexibility and has thus been forced to rely on the buyout market and minimum contracts.
In 2026, however, the Lakers are on pace to have enough cap space to actually sign meaningful talent to long-term contracts and thus build a team around Doncic that truly suits him.
It's a luxury that Los Angeles can't afford to deprive itself of. Doncic helped the Lakers cap off a 50-win season in 2024-25 and could get them there again in 2025-26, but he's working with a roster that was built for Anthony Davis and LeBron James—and is thus playing in what can only be described as an imperfect environment.
For as compelling as some of the trade options are to consider, there's only one option the Lakers can rationally embrace: Protecting their picks, preserving their cap space, and prioritizing the future.
Lakers must protect picks, preserve cap space, prioritize free agency
The unfortunate truth is that the Lakers aren't one player away from being able to compete at the highest level. Question marks are scattered throughout the rotation, with glaring flaws revealing themselves in ways that can't be downplayed or overlooked.
Though the right trade would undoubtedly push the Lakers closer to their goal, there are too many holes to fill with just one player. Furthermore, the entire rotation will be entered into a state of flux this summer regardless of what happens at the trade deadline.
Hachimura, James, and Reaves are all headed for unrestricted free agency. Though there's a case to be made that all three should be re-signed, doing so would limit the Lakers' flexibility in regard to making meaningful improvements in other vital areas.
Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart also have player options that combine to just under $13.5 million, but it's unclear if they'll have reason to accept their seven-figure salaries—or if Los Angeles should want them to.
Luka Doncic is playing with a team that wasn't built for him
Moreover, the Lakers are already on pace to be without first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2029. They can still package a first-round selection ahead of the trade deadline, but doing so would deprive them of yet another resource for the one thing they can't seem to acquire: Cost-efficient developable talent.
As such, even if the Lakers' best bet is to utilize its draft capital to make a meaningful trade, the team can package two first-rounders over the summer instead of being limited to one at the deadline.
There are still rational options to consider on the trade market, including players who have low-cost deals or expiring contracts. Cap holds and fit will still be vital talking points, but the opportunity will exist for Los Angeles to gamble without much risk involved.
For as desperate as Lakers fans are to see their team win a playoff series for the first time since 2023, however, every option at the trade deadline must be weighed against the future.