Revealing the Lakers' offseason strategy: willing to keep LeBron James and pursue quality 3D players while going all-in on Giannis Antetokounmpo

On February 17th Beijing time, Lakers insider McMenamin detailed the team’s offseason recruiting strategy, highlighting their intention to keep LeBron James, target premium 3-and-D players, and potentially fully commit to acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. Here are the related details—

Starting from the 2026 draft night, the Lakers will have three tradable first-round picks (2026, 2031, 2033), and are expected to have a salary cap space of $51 million (including the $20.9 million free agent exception reserved for Reeves).

Lakers President of Basketball Operations and GM Pelinka told reporters that the team has declined some opportunities to maintain future flexibility. “I believe we are aggressive,” Pelinka said, “and one form of aggression is refusing trades that could harm our short-term and long-term future. Sometimes, not making a move is itself aggressive because rejecting a player who might help short-term but damage long-term plans is tough.”

The biggest question remains: does the Lakers’ future blueprint still include LeBron James? An Eastern Conference executive told ESPN, “The first thing they need to do is let LeBron goand use the cap space to rebuild around Doncic. Keeping Reeves is crucial. Doncic needs another ball-handler creator, like when he played with Irving and Brunson.”

The Lakers’ projected $51 million cap space does not include LeBron James or Rui Hachimura, and assumes Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.4 million) exercise their player options.

Sources say if LeBron wants to play his 24th season, the Lakers would welcome his returnand Pelinka publicly expressed before this season that he hopes LeBron retires as a Laker.

Sources revealed this means whether LeBron retires in 2026 or plays through 2027, the Lakers will accept it. However, if he returns, his salary will directly affect what kind of roster the Lakers can build.

LeBron earns $52.6 million this season and made his 22nd All-Star appearance, setting a record. So far this season, he averages 22 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 50.2%.

Although he took a voluntary pay cut of $2.7 million on his last contract to help the Lakers avoid the luxury tax apron, a significant pay cut this year to stay would contradict his entire career negotiation strategy. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ current roster gaps require substantial cap space to address.

The Lakers aim to acquire 3-and-D players who can defend, have height, and shoot. An Eastern Conference executive said, “They want to stockpile as many of these players as possible: tall, defensive, and capable shooters.”

Sources say the Lakers have discussed free agents includingWiggins, Isaiah Hartenstein, Tobias Harris, Grimes, and Dean Wade.The Lakers are also privately interested in restricted free agent Payton Watson. If the Nuggets, who already have $215 million committed next season, cannot match his contract, the Lakers could sign him.

Pelinka said, “We believe having options now is very advantageous for the upcoming offseason because some teams are deeply into the luxury tax zone, and once there, players will be put on the trade block.”

Another Lakers approach is to use cap space to trade directly for stars, similar to how the Wizards acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis this season.

The player the Lakers most want to get this way is a generational talent 10 years younger than LeBron: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Team sources confirm the Lakers fully understand Giannis’s appeal.

If the Bucks star requests a trade, the Lakers are confident they will be among the very short list of frontrunners.A Western Conference executive told ESPN: Giannis is the “ultimate prize” the Lakers want this summer.

However, Giannis is not guaranteed to be traded. The Lakers know the Bucks can strengthen their roster in the offseason and convince him to sign an extension by October 1st instead of assuming he will leave.

Even so, the Lakers’ current trade assets are more competitive than earlier this month. Their offer will center on three future first-round picks. If the Bucks plan a full rebuild, this is more attractive than the Knicks’ player-centric proposal (Towns, Anunoby).

Giannis has clearly stated he wants to compete for another championship. Doncic and the Lakers have been together just over a year, only reaching the first round so far. Doncic then signed a 3-year, $165 million extension, and the team currently ranks 5th in the West.

A source familiar with Doncic’s thinking told ESPN that the Lakers’ disciplined, long-term approach at the trade deadline has his support.He has not pressured the team to immediately find him a superstar partner before LeBron leaves. Nevertheless, this offseason remains critical for Pelinka. They will work with new owner Walter to find the best path forward with Doncic as the cornerstone.

Earlier this month, Pelinka told reporters that he and Jeanie will lead the Lakers’ offseason moves, leveraging Walter’s strong financial backing, aiming to replicate the success of Walter’s other team—

the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won consecutive championships. Before their titles, the Dodgers made MLB history by signing Shohei Ohtani to the largest contract ever, making waves in sports.

Can the Lakers deliver a similarly stunning move this summer?

The Eastern Conference executive bluntly said:“They could simply say ‘to hell with it’ and go all-in on Giannis.”