Los Angeles Lakers News

WESTERN PACIFIC

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Wants Lakers to Add High-Level Center

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has made his preference clear for the franchise to add an A-list center, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been mentioned as restricted free-agent targets the Lakers have done due diligence on, while Los Angeles is expected to evaluate other trade and free-agent options. Kessler would give the Lakers a shot-blocking, low-usage finisher, while Duren would bring more scoring, rebounding, and physical roll-man production. Either move would clean up Doncic's playmaking environment, but the bigger fantasy swing may come for whichever center lands next to one of the league's best passers.

Yesterday

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Fields Interest From 10-12 Teams Before Free Agency

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is drawing interest from about 10-12 teams ahead of free agency, agent Rich Paul said on the Pat McAfee Show, while insisting no decision is near. Paul stressed he has not spoken with James about next season, urging fans to "believe nothing that's out there." James, an impending unrestricted free agent at 41, is coming off a season of 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games, with a return to the Lakers widely believed to be the expected fit. Take the team count with a grain of salt, since inflating it serves Paul's leverage. For fantasy managers, James remains a top-tier multi-category producer when healthy, but his destination and games-played history are the variables. If he stays beside Luka Doncic, his usage could dip even as his per-game value holds.

6 days ago

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Could Leave the Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James might not be back with the organization next season. Tim Bontemps of ESPN believes there's a legitimate chance that James is not back with the team next season. The Lakers are focused on building around Luka Doncic, which likely includes bringing back guard Austin Reaves. The Lakers will likely need to pay a hefty price in free agency to bring back Reaves this summer. With that being said, James might be forced to take a pay cut to stay with the Lakers or potentially head elsewhere. According to his agent, James has around 10-12 teams that would be interested in signing him. The 41-year-old can still be a reliable contributor, but his overall ceiling is going to take a hit due to age regression. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up signing this offseason.

Jun 12

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Nets Expected to Offer Austin Reaves a Max Contract

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could be headed elsewhere soon. According to Dan Woike, the Brooklyn Nets are prepared to offer Reaves a max contract this summer. The Lakers have viewed re-signing Reaves as a priority, but it's likely going to cost them a hefty amount of money. The Nets are reportedly willing to offer Reaves around $178.5 million over four years. The Lakers could offer Reaves a fifth year, but it's unclear if they want to match that kind of money. The status of LeBron James is also something that the Lakers need to pay attention to. Adding a player such as Reaves to the mix could help speed up the Nets' rebuilding process. The Nets have a handful of young guards, but none stand out as true cornerstone pieces right now. A move to the Nets would likely benefit Reaves as the primary focal point of an offense.

Jun 12

Adou Thiero • SG • Lakers

Adou Thiero Remains a Lakers Development Project

Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero had a quiet rookie season, but Silver Screen and Roll's Edwin Garcia wrote that the team should keep him in its long-term plans. The 22-year-old missed training camp and the start of the regular season while recovering from left knee surgery and later lost time to an MCL sprain. He logged only 25 regular-season games, averaging 1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 6.0 minutes while shooting 51.6% from the field. There were still fantasy-relevant flashes, including a 25-point South Bay outing on 10-for-12 shooting and 5-for-5 from deep. Thiero needs a steadier jumper and a real rotation lane, but his rim pressure and defensive tools make him a summer watchlist name.

May 30

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Reportedly Waiting for Lakers Approach

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is waiting for the team to approach him with its offseason plans, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. "The LeBron side, from what I am told, would like the Lakers to come and say, 'LeBron, here's our plan for you,' or 'here's what we were offering,' and if they're offering less than the max, here's why. Because we're going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slide in," Windhorst said on Wednesday's episode of The Hoop Collective podcast. James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after earning $52.7 million in 2025-26. If he agrees to take a pay cut, the Lakers would have a chance to build a better roster around him. Recently, James suggested he isn't in a rush to make a decision on his future.

May 28

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Could Command $40M Per Year With New Contract

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is set to receive a major pay raise as a free agent this offseason. According to Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic, because of a weak free-agent class, rival executives believe Reaves could secure a contract worth $40 million per season. The Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets have the salary cap space needed to sign Reaves, and both the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks are said to be interested in his services. Reaves, who earned $13.9 million this season, averaged a career-high 23.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 2025-26, along with 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals. Year after year, his fantasy stock has grown, and it's expected to remain high whether Reaves stays with the Lakers or signs elsewhere.

May 15

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Admits He Wasn't Close to Returning Before Season Ended

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) wasn't close to returning before the team's season ended on Monday night. "I know some people wanted me (to come) back, but obviously I wasn't close to clearing," Doncic said. "If I could be out there, I would be, 100%. Everybody in that room knows this is really tough. This is the best time to play basketball." Doncic missed the Lakers' entire postseason campaign after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2. He said he is running and shooting but hasn't progressed to contact work in practice. Losing Doncic for the playoffs was a massive blow to the Lakers. During his first full season in Los Angeles, Doncic averaged a league-high 33.5 points, along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Having turned only 27 earlier this year, he is set to remain a fantasy stalwart for the foreseeable future.

May 12

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Uncertain About Future After Season-Ending Loss

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has yet to make plans for his future after his 23rd NBA campaign ended with a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. "I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I've answered questions. I don't think I've come out and been like, 'Oh, retirement is coming,'" James said postgame. "With my future, I don't know, honestly. It's, obviously it's still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me." James, who turned 41 in December, was the Lakers' highest-paid player this term, earning $52.6 million. He doesn't have a contract or a contract option for next season. In 2025-26, James proved he can still be a highly impactful player, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals.

May 12

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Nears Double-Double In Game 3 Loss

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves posted 17 points, nine assists, and three rebounds in Saturday's 131-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 27-year-old logged 39 minutes but had another uneven shooting night, going 5-for-13 from the field, 1-for-5 from three-point range, and committing five turnovers. Reaves has now scored eight, 31, and 17 points through three games in the series, with Oklahoma City taking a 3-0 lead after outscoring Los Angeles 74-49 in the second half. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) still sidelined, Reaves remains locked into heavy usage, even if the efficiency has been shaky.

May 10

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Facing Sweep With Game 4 on Monday

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James recorded 19 points (7-for-19 on field goals, 2-for-6 from three, 3-for-4 on free throws), eight assists, six rebounds, and one steal in 37 minutes during Saturday's 131-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The four-time MVP has not asserted himself offensively against the defending champions, and the continued absence of Luka Doncic (hamstring) leaves Los Angeles with little margin for error. "I'm not angry or disappointed," James said postgame. "We've still got life... We've got to be much better on Monday." A loss in Game 4 would mark the fourth postseason sweep of James' career.

May 10

Jarred Vanderbilt • SF • Lakers

Jarred Vanderbilt Active on Saturday Night

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) will suit up for Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. The 27-year-old suffered a nasty finger injury in the series opener but sat out only one game. Vanderbilt will bolster the Lakers' frontcourt depth, but it would be surprising to see him play a major role. So far in the playoffs, Vanderbilt has averaged 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game. He has been held to two or fewer points in three of six appearances.

May 9

Jarred Vanderbilt • SF • Lakers

Jarred Vanderbilt Considered Questionable for Saturday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 27-year-old dislocated his right pinky finger in the series opener and wasn't in the lineup for Game 2 on Thursday night. Luckily for the Lakers, Luke Kennard was available and led the second unit with 10 points in 26 minutes. Backup center Jaxson Hayes was the only other reserve to log more than 10 minutes, so Lakers head coach JJ Redick appears ready to lean heavily on his starters in this series. Even when active, Vanderbilt has played a limited role in the playoffs, averaging 12.0 minutes per game.

May 8

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Scores 31 Points in Game 2 Defeat

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves finished with 31 points, two rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes during Thursday's Game 2 loss to Oklahoma City. He bounced back from an eight-point Game 1 dud, shooting 10-for-16 from the field while adding three three-pointers and eight free throws. The scoring and playmaking keep him firmly in DFS consideration, but the five turnovers add some risk. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) unlikely to return this round, Reaves and LeBron James will need to carry the offense, while Rui Hachimura remains a useful floor-spacing option.

May 8

Jarred Vanderbilt • SF • Lakers

Jarred Vanderbilt Ruled Out for Game 2 Against Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) will sit out Thursday's Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was always unlikely to play after dislocating his right pinky finger in Game 1 and receiving a doubtful tag on the initial injury report. Vanderbilt has averaged 12.0 minutes per game in the playoffs, so he won't be a major loss for the Lakers. Jake LaRavia will likely pick up most of Vanderbilt's minutes and aim to make a bigger impact than in Game 1. On Tuesday night, LaRavia contributed only two points, one rebound, one block, and one steal in 14 minutes.

May 7

Luke Kennard • SG • Lakers

Luke Kennard Cleared to Play Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (neck) will be active on Thursday night in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday due to neck soreness, but his status has been upgraded from questionable to available. Kennard has been a positive surprise for the Lakers this postseason, averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in 35.3 minutes per game. However, Kennard's three-point efficiency has fallen off a cliff in recent outings, as he has gone 2-for-10 over the last four games. The Duke product has to start making three-pointers again to provide more scoring for the team, behind LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

May 7

Luke Kennard • SG • Lakers

Luke Kennard Tagged as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (neck) has picked up a questionable tag on the injury report before Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. After recording seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 29 minutes off the bench in Game 1, Kennard is dealing with neck soreness. The second unit already lost Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) to injury in Tuesday's series-opening loss, so the starters could face a massive workload on Thursday night if Kennard is also out. Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia, Bronny James Jr., and Dalton Knecht will be the primary bench options, but they can't be relied on for fantasy production.

May 6

Jarred Vanderbilt • SF • Lakers

Jarred Vanderbilt Considered Doubtful for Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is listed as doubtful for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The 27-year-old sustained a gruesome finger injury in Tuesday's series opener. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Vanderbilt is day-to-day, so he could still be an option in the series. Vanderbilt is averaging 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game this postseason. We will likely see Jake LaRavia handle a heavier workload if Vanderbilt misses time, but his fantasy value will remain limited.

May 6

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Reveals Recovery Timeline

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) revealed on Wednesday that he was initially given an eight-week recovery timeline, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. "The day I did the MRI on the hamstring, the doctor told me eight weeks [recovery] at the beginning," Doncic said. "I'm doing everything I can in the process, and I think we're on a good way. But at the beginning, he told me eight weeks." Thursday will mark five weeks to the day since Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Based on the initial timeline, Doncic still appears far from returning, but he has progressed to running. In an effort to speed up his recovery, Doncic underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) while overseas.

May 6

LeBron James • SF • Lakers

LeBron James Scores Game-High 27 Points in Tuesday's Loss

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James led all scorers with 27 points in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night but ended up on the losing side. James had a superb 12-for-17 record from the field and finished 3-for-6 with the three-ball. But Austin Reaves was limited to just eight points, and the Lakers were no match for the defending champions in a 108-90 defeat. James completed his line with four rebounds, six assists, and one steal. The Lakers were impressive in the first-round series against Houston, but they will need everyone, including James, to elevate their game to match the Thunder. In his 19th postseason campaign, James is averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.3 steals.

May 6

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