The Los Angeles Lakers enter the stretch run with real work to do now and even more ahead this summer. Oddsmakers still see a path to a parade, but not an easy one. According to SBO.net, which ranks US betting sites, the Lakers are +5000 to win the 2026 NBA title. Long odds indeed, but a price reflects a talented core, a respected coach in JJ Redick, and a roster that still looks one or two moves short of true contender status.
At 34-23 and hovering in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture, the Lakers’ front office faces a familiar balancing act. They need to maximize what remains of LeBron James’s championship window while also building a group that can compete deep into the next era. This offseason will be about tightening the rotation around Luka Doncic and LeBron, adding more size and defense on the wing, and deciding how aggressive to be with their remaining draft and salary-cap assets.
Leaning Into The Luka–LeBron Core
The starting point for any offseason plan is simple: everything orbits around Doncic and James. Doncic has settled in as the team’s offensive engine, leading the Lakers in scoring and assists while shouldering massive usage on a nightly basis. LeBron, now deeper into his 40s, no longer carries the same load he once did, but he still tilts the floor with his shot creation, playmaking, and late-game decision-making.
The question for Rob Pelinka and his staff is how to reduce the strain on those two without clogging the offense. That likely means doubling down on lineups that surround them with shooting, connective passing, and multi-positional defenders. Expect the Lakers to explore guards and wings who can hit open threes, defend at the point of attack, and handle the ball just enough to keep the offense flowing when Doncic sits. One thing is for certain: with new ownership raising ticket prices, there will be greater expectations to win in 2026-27.
Decisions Around The Supporting Cast
Deandre Ayton is locked in as the starting center and has given Los Angeles a reliable presence on the glass and as a pick-and-roll finisher. The Lakers will look for ways to keep him involved, as many feel he’s the difference-maker on the court, while ensuring spacing does not suffer in the biggest games. That could drive interest in stretch bigs or small-ball forwards who can slide to the five in certain matchups.
Austin Reaves remains one of the most important role players on the roster. His ability to create off the dribble, hit spot-up threes, and guard multiple positions fits perfectly next to stars. The front office must decide whether to expand his role further or target another perimeter playmaker to share secondary-creation duties. Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, and other rotation pieces all factor into how flexible Redick can be with lineups built around Doncic and LeBron.
Wing Depth And Defensive Versatility
If there is one clear offseason priority, it is adding more length and defense on the perimeter. The Western Conference is filled with elite scoring wings and jumbo initiators, and the Lakers need more bodies to throw at them over a seven-game series. Vanderbilt provides energy and defense, and Smart brings toughness at the point of attack, but the roster would benefit from another two-way wing in the 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-9 range who can switch, rebound, and knock down open shots.
Free agency and the trade market should offer options in that mold, though the Lakers will operate with limited flexibility depending on where the cap and tax lines land. A mid-level-type addition, combined with creative use of existing contracts, could be enough to upgrade the forward rotation without sacrificing core pieces. Expect the front office to canvas the league for wings stuck in crowded depth charts or on teams resetting around younger talent.
Draft Picks, Trades, And Timelines
The Lakers’ draft capital is not what it once was, but they still hold enough picks to get involved in trade talks if a meaningful player becomes available. The challenge is finding targets who fit both the current core and the future beyond LeBron. Packaging a future first-rounder with salary could open the door for a higher-end starter or sixth man, but every move now carries significant opportunity cost.
Pelinka has shown a willingness to wait for the right deal rather than force a splashy headline. That patience will be tested if the Lakers fall short again in the early rounds. A second straight year of a middle-seed finish and an early exit might push the front office to be more aggressive, especially with Doncic in his prime and under a long-term contract.
JJ Redick’s Influence On Roster Moves
Redick’s first season on the Lakers’ sidelines showed a modern offensive approach, built around spacing, pick-and-roll, and read-and-react principles. His system demands smart decision-makers who can shoot, cut, and defend without constant schematic help. That vision will shape the type of players the front office targets.
Expect Redick to push for high-IQ veterans who can execute complex game plans, as well as young players who can grow into bigger roles without needing heavy usage. The Lakers may prioritize players with playoff experience or proven success in switching defensive schemes, knowing that Redick wants the flexibility to toggle between coverages and lineup styles in a series.
Balancing The Present And Future
LeBron’s eventual exit remains an unavoidable part of every long-term conversation. For now, the Lakers are still in win-now mode, but they cannot ignore what the team will look like when the offense fully turns over to Doncic and the next wave of contributors. That puts added weight on internal development for players like Reaves and any young prospects on the roster or incoming via the draft.
The most likely outcome is a measured offseason rather than a complete overhaul. Targeted upgrades on the wing, another dependable ball-handler, and more lineup versatility around the stars would align with how this front office has operated under Pelinka. The odds may say the Lakers are a tier below the top favorites today, but a sharp summer and a healthy season could close that gap quickly.
To better dial in which offseason angles to emphasize, do you want the focus more on realistic trade targets or on internal development and cap/contract strategy?
