Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin wrote in an article today: "Five Ultimate Questions for the Lakers This Summer: Everything Revolves Around Doncic, and LeBron's Decision Is Just One Piece."

The Lakers' season ended a month ago with a second-round sweep by the Thunder , and just last week, the New York Knicks defeated the Spurs in five games in the Finals to lift the NBA trophy. The depth of the Knicks' starting five and the Spurs' mix of youth and athleticism put on display what a true championship-caliber roster should look like—and the Lakers are certainly no exception.

It's easy to see where the hole is, but whether they can fill it will not only determine if the Lakers maximize their roster value around Doncic, but also directly impact whether LeBron returns .

That's the stakes for the Lakers in the coming weeks.

On paper, the Lakers have three tradable first-round picks (2026 25th overall, 2031, 2033), and could theoretically free up nearly $50 million in cap space —but that money will disappear quickly, especially if the team wants to keep the core that put up back-to-back 50-win seasons, was one of the hottest teams in the league after All-Star Weekend, and only stumbled in early April when Doncic's hamstring and Reaves's oblique injuries derailed them.

Of the current 15-man roster, as many as nine players are entering unrestricted free agency . Here are the five major issues the Lakers must address this summer.

First, how will Doncic's influence be felt?

Doncic is currently in Slovenia spending the summer with his daughter, but sources close to him told ESPN that he has been in constant communication with Pelinka and Redick .

This past season, he averaged 33.5 points to lead the scoring charts and finished fourth in MVP voting—until a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sidelined him before the playoffs even began. Sources say he was cleared for basketball activities on May 28 (about two and a half weeks after the series ended) and has since entered full training mode.

At 27 years old and in his prime, Doncic has a clear preference for the roster, and it hasn't changed since he was traded to Los Angeles 16 months ago: "Luka's top priority is an elite center," the source said.

The reason for this demand goes beyond just needing to compete against San Antonio's Wembanyama and Denver's Jokic—both of whom finished ahead of Doncic in MVP voting—but also because a big man who can roll to the rim, catch lobs, and provide defensive presence opens up more options for Doncic's already potent offense and is essential for contending against any top team in the West.

This raises the question: What are the Lakers' plans for their centers from last season—starter Ayton and backup Hayes?

Ayton has an $8.1 million player option for next season and must decide by June 29 whether to exercise it or become an unrestricted free agent.

Hayes has been with the Lakers for the past three seasons and obtained a Slovenian passport to play alongside Doncic for the national team. He is also an unrestricted free agent and, after earning slightly above the veteran's minimum, is expected to receive a raise.

Additionally, there are the Lakers' two biggest potential free agents—James and Reaves.

In his post-season press conference, Doncic expressed support for retaining the core.

"We have a great team with great chemistry, and playing with AR and LeBron has been an incredible experience," Doncic said. "They are two great players, and it's really fun to compete alongside them."

A source close to Doncic told ESPN that Doncic has been in contact with James and Reaves since the season ended, but has not urged either to return to the Lakers.

The source said most of their conversations have revolved around golf, as Doncic took up the sport in February and bonded with his golf-loving teammates.

As the draft and free agency approach, the team has kept Doncic informed; the six-time All-Star expects the Lakers to provide him with a near-immediate championship path.

"Luka wants the team to be a title contender right away, and since the trade, they've been telling us, 'Summer 2026, we'll show you in summer 2026.' So we're very excited that summer 2026 has finally arrived," said a source close to Doncic.

Second, LeBron's latest calculation: Family comes first, but a championship still weighs heavily.

LeBron is also abroad, having finished his family vacation and met up with some members of the 2016 Cavaliers championship team to travel to England, Scotland, and finally Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that title.

LeBron's agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, is waiting for LeBron to finish his vacation before discussing whether he wants to play a 24th season, and if so, what options are available.

"Don't believe any rumors because I haven't talked to him yet," Paul said on an ESPN show last week. "At the end of the season, I made it clear that I would respect him and his family because this will be a family decision for them."

Paul said about "10 to 12" teams have inquired about LeBron.

Nevertheless, according to the general consensus among more than half a dozen league sources, if LeBron returns, he will likely do so with the Lakers, with the Golden State Warriors being a realistic second option.

Under the current roster structure, the Warriors can offer LeBron at most a $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is $37 million less than his salary last season.

The Lakers can technically offer LeBron a contract worth up to three years and $182 million, but no one around the league expects the Lakers to come close to that figure.

However, the Lakers could easily beat the Warriors' offer with a contract in the $20–30 million range while still retaining Reaves and having enough money left to build the rest of the roster.

In June 2025, Paul told ESPN's Shams—when LeBron opted into the final year of his Lakers contract—that chasing another title remains LeBron's top priority.

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Paul said. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values the possibility of truly contending."

The Lakers went 16-2 from late February to late March, proving LeBron can still play at an elite level, but their true potential was never displayed in the playoffs due to injuries.

"LeBron has a great relationship with Luka," a source close to LeBron told ESPN, so continuing to take a supporting role alongside Doncic as requested by Redick is not expected to be an obstacle in LeBron's decision-making.

LeBron told reporters after the season that his NBA future would be a family decision—and it cannot be overlooked that his oldest son, Bronny, has a partially guaranteed contract with the Lakers next season.

Third, Reaves: One of the best guards on the market, but is he really only about the money?

As ESPN reported months ago, Reaves intends to become a free agent rather than exercise his $14.9 million player option for next season. The 28-year-old guard had a career-best season in his fifth year and will be one of the top players available on the market.

Reaves averaged 23.3 points on 49% shooting (36% from three), along with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals, but he played only 51 games—a career low—due to a left calf injury in the middle of the season and a subsequent oblique strain that caused him to miss the start of the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets.

The Lakers can offer him a five-year, $241 million contract. Any other team can offer a maximum of four years and $179 million.

Pelinka told reporters at his end-of-season press conference that he is confident Reaves will return: "His career started with the Lakers, and he has been very clear that he wants to continue as a Laker. We feel the same way. We want his legacy to continue unfolding in the purple and gold... I think both sides have made it clear that we want to reach an agreement for him to keep writing his story here."

Reaves' cap hold is $20.9 million, meaning the Lakers still have nearly $50 million in cap space to negotiate with other free agents and can re-sign Reaves above the cap.

If Reaves accepts a contract below the max, it would provide future roster flexibility for the Lakers, including avoiding the penalties of exceeding the second apron.

Multiple league sources say the Nets are expected to be interested in Reaves. Brooklyn has enough cap space to offer Reaves a four-year max contract and is still rebuilding after the brief Durant-Irving-Harden era.

However, sources familiar with Reaves' thinking have told ESPN throughout the season that his contract decision won't be based solely on money. Several factors will come into play, including Reaves' repeated statements that he wants to spend his entire career with the Lakers.

Fourth, who are the Lakers targeting?

Sources familiar with the team's thinking told ESPN that the Lakers have done due diligence on four restricted free agents. Two of them—Detroit's Jalen Duren and Utah's Walker Kessler—could satisfy Doncic's demand for an elite center.

The other two—Denver's Peyton Watson and Houston's Tari Eason—are the 3-and-D type players any team needs for success in the modern NBA.

Of course, the risk in pursuing restricted free agents is that the player's current team has 48 hours to match, and the Lakers' available cap space would be tied up during that period, making it a dangerous maneuver.

Among unrestricted free agents who fit well with Doncic, Detroit's Tobias Harris, Miami's Norman Powell, Chicago's Anfernee Simons, New York's Mitchell Robinson, Charlotte's Coby White, Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes, Cleveland's Dean Wade, and New York's Landry Shamet all meet the Lakers' needs to varying degrees.

Fifth, what about the rest of last season's roster?

Sources told ESPN that the Lakers are interested in retaining Smart and sharpshooter Kennard.

Smart, who was recruited to the Lakers by Doncic, must decide by June 29 whether to exercise his $5.4 million player option for the final year. Sources say he enjoyed his role with the Lakers and wants a new contract with a raise.

Kennard is on an expiring contract worth $11 million and is interested in making Los Angeles his long-term home, having previously played two and a half seasons with the Clippers.

Kennard was acquired from the Hawks at the trade deadline for Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick. He averaged 11.5 points in the playoffs while shooting 47.4% from three, taking on a larger role in Doncic's absence.

The biggest unknown is forward Rui Hachimura. The 28-year-old had a strong regular season (11.5 points, 51.4% shooting, 44.3% from three) and shined in the playoffs (17.5 points, 54.9% overall, 56.9% from three), and he is on an expiring $18.3 million contract.

Multiple league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out, and he may need to explore the market to find an ideal offer.

However, if the Lakers decide to operate as an over-the-cap team, they could retain all their own free agents with Bird rights—including Hachimura—and, according to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks, would also have a $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to pursue external free agents.

If the Lakers go that route, their main mechanism for changing the core would be seeking trades, potentially attaching future picks to players like Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) and Ayton (if he exercises his player option) to bring in new talent to Los Angeles.

In a nutshell, the Lakers' offseason is not a simple "will LeBron stay or go" single-choice question. It's a puzzle: Doncic wants a center → Reaves eats up cap space → LeBron wants a championship window → Pelinka has to stitch all these together within the luxury tax rules.

Whichever piece gives way first is the door that will truly open.