JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
Rob Pelinka has been busy retooling the Los Angeles Lakers roster this summer. Each of his moves has been designed to maximize the impact of Luka Doncic, who is clearly the future of the franchise.
Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia have all walked through the door. Still, Pelinka may not be done making moves. In a recent article for ESPN, where Anthony Slater ranked the teams most likely to make a “big move” at the February 2026 trade deadline, the Lakers ranked second.
“The Lakers, who are transitioning into the Luka Doncic era, have maintained a few first-round sweeteners that can be used to get a deal done as LeBron James’ expiring contract looms,” Slater wrote.
Pelinka will undoubtedly keep his ear to the ground in the coming months. If the right player becomes available, the Lakers will undoubtedly emerge as potential suitors. Pelinka still has enough tradeable assets to take another swing in the market.
Of course, Doncic will likely need to sign off on any potential trade. The superstar forward has reportedly been consulted on and involved in multiple deals this summer.
LeBron James Urged to Move on From Lakers
In a recent appearance on “The Bettor Angle” podcast, Charles Barkley explained why LeBron James will likely need to leave the Lakers in the near future.
“LeBron is going to have to move on at some point. It is what it is,” Barkley said. “Even though he’s been putting up good numbers, they haven’t been successful in probably four years…It’s already Luka’s team now. You don’t sign and trade for Luka Doncic, give him all that money, and it’s not his team.”
LeBron recently opted into his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season. If he’s going to leave the Lakers, it will likely come next summer, when he’s an unrestricted free agent. LeBron could either sign with a new team or retire from his time in the NBA.
LeBron Knows Lakers Would Struggle to Trade Him
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently reported that LeBron understands the Lakers would struggle to trade him this summer.
“It has been radio silent since James, via his agent Rich Paul, attempted to rattle the Lakers’ cages immediately after exercising his $52.6 million player option for this season,” MacMahon wrote. “The all-time leading scorer and his camp understand just how complicated a trade involving him — at his age, making that much money, with the contractual right to veto any deal — would be.”
With LeBron and Doncic leading the way, the Lakers have a genuine shot at challenging for a championship this season. Regardless of how that all plays out, LeBron’s tenure with the franchise is clearly coming to an end. Still, leaving on a high note, with a second championship as a Laker, would be the ideal way to say goodbye.
Currently, there’s no telling how much longer LeBron plans to remain in the league. However, if he does change teams next summer, it will likely be for the last time, championship or not.