Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets
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JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Los Angeles Lakers are planning for the future, one that includes Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who they’ll likely re-sign to a max contract in free agency this offseason.
But with LeBron James‘ free agency, as well as the uncertain future of a few other players whose contracts run out after this year, on the table, the Lakers could be at risk of losing a few of their key members of the rotation.
While Reaves and James are the biggest names headed to unrestricted free agency this summer, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber share the same fate, and the Lakers could see other Western Conference rivals poach them in the offseason with bigger deals than Los Angeles is willing to offer.
Lakers Could See Free Agents Poached This Summer
Los Angeles Lakers Luke Kennard
GettyLuke Kennard quickly emerging into one of the Lakers’ most important player amid playoff push.
The idea of the Lakers going into the 2026-27 season with a vastly different roster than this year is nothing new, as it has previously been reported that after a quiet trade deadline, the team expects to be busy this summer, whether it be through trades or free agency.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll want to give up on a few of their key players who are on expiring contracts, specifically in the form of Kennard, Hachimura, and Hayes.
However, writing for Bleacher Report, Zach Buckley named each of them as targets for other teams in the West, and they could be poised to be signed to higher deals this summer.
Kennard was listed as a realistic target for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that can always use shooting around franchise star Anthony Edwards. The Lakers reportedly have a ‘strong interest‘ in resigning Kennard, and losing him over the offseason would be a tough blow considering they got him at the deadline.
Hachimura was named both a ‘dream’ free agent target for the San Antonio Spurs, while also a realistic target for the Milwaukee Bucks as a 3-and-D forward for those teams to add next to their superstars.
Buckley also described Hayes as a potential target for the Phoenix Suns, who lack a rim-running center for Devin Booker and company. If the Lakers can’t find another big man in free agency, losing Hayes might be the biggest blow, as he’s proven to fit well with Doncic’s play style.
“With free agency potential poaching Williams and/or Nick Richards, the Suns could be in the market for bigs. They could do worse than Hayes, a 7-footer who’s one of the peppier rim-runners around,” Buckley wrote on Los Angeles’ current backup big.
Lakers Top Offseason Free Agent Targets
Still, free agency happens for all 30 NBA teams every single year, and there can’t be any guarantees that the Lakers will keep any number of their five unrestricted free agents this summer.
At the same time, the Lakers have had eyes for several players in their own offseason free agent hunt, some that could be more realistic targets than others, but all of whom general manager Rob Pelinka is expected to at least make an offer to.
Peyton Watson remains the most likely candidate to sign with the Lakers, as the Denver Nuggets won’t be able to afford his projected four-year, $100 million new contract.
While he won’t make the same amount, Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets is another name that would fill a similar role, should Los Angeles go after him this summer, too.
“The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN, and could land the latter if Denver, which already has $215 million in salary committed to returning players for next season, doesn’t match the offer sheet,” Dave McMenamin wrote.
McMenamin also named a few other free agent targets the Lakers are expected to go after.
NBACentral
The Lakers have discussed targeting players like Tobias Harris, Dean Wade, Quentin Grimes, Andrew Wiggins, Tari Eason, and Peyton Watson in the offseason, per @mcten
“An unrestricted free agent who has been discussed internally, sources told ESPN, is Andrew Wiggins, but he has a player option with Miami he could exercise. Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile,” he added back in mid-February.
Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz has also been a long-time target, as it’s fair to say the Lakers will be exploring their big man options this summer as potential replacements for Deandre Ayton.