Hoops Rumors is checking in on the 2025 offseason for all 30 NBA teams, recapping the summer’s free agent signings, trades, draft picks, departures, and more. We’ll take a look at each team’s offseason moves and consider what might still be coming before the regular season begins. Today, we’re focusing on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Free agent signings
Deandre Ayton: Two years, $16,208,000. Second-year player option. Signed using non-taxpayer mid-level exception.- Jake LaRavia: Two years, $12,000,000. Signed using non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
- Marcus Smart: Two years, $10,524,700. Second-year player option. Signed using non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
- Jaxson Hayes: One year, $3,449,323. Re-signed using Non-Bird rights. Waived right to veto trade.
- RJ Davis: One year, minimum salary. Non-guaranteed (Exhibit 10). Signed using minimum salary exception.
- Eric Dixon: One year, minimum salary. Non-guaranteed (Exhibit 10). Signed using minimum salary exception.
- Arthur Kaluma: One year, minimum salary. Non-guaranteed (Exhibit 10). Signed using minimum salary exception.
- Kylor Kelley: One year, minimum salary. Non-guaranteed (Exhibit 10). Signed using minimum salary exception.
- Augustas Marciulionis: One year, minimum salary. Non-guaranteed (Exhibit 10). Signed using minimum salary exception.
Trades
- Acquired the draft rights to Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 pick) from the Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Lachlan Olbrich (No. 55 pick) in the 2025 draft and cash ($2.5MM).
- Acquired the draft rights to Adou Thiero (No. 36 pick; from Nets) in a seven-team trade in exchange for the draft rights to Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 pick; to Timberwolves) and cash ($3.25MM; to Timberwolves).
Draft picks
- 2-36: Adou Thiero
- Signed to three-year, $5,949,688 contract. First two years guaranteed. Third-year team option.
Two-way signings
- Christian Koloko
- One year, $85,300 partial guarantee (will increase to $318,218 at start of regular season).
- Chris Manon
- One year, $85,300 partial guarantee.
Departed/unsigned free agents
- Dorian Finney-Smith (Rockets)
- Alex Len (unsigned)
- Markieff Morris (unsigned)
Other roster moves
- Signed Luka Doncic to a three-year, maximum-salary veteran contract extension that begins in 2026/27. Projected value of $160,838,784. Includes third-year player option.
- Waived Jordan Goodwin (non-guaranteed contract).
- Waived Shake Milton (non-guaranteed contract).
- Waived Trey Jemison (two-way contract).
Salary cap situation
- Operating over the cap ($154.6MM) and above the luxury tax line ($187.9MM).
- Carrying approximately $194.8MM in salary.
- Hard-capped at $195,945,000.
- Three traded player exceptions available (largest worth $1,891,857).
The offseason so far
The Lakers’ offseason began in somewhat dramatic fashion when agent Rich Paul announced on June 29 that LeBron James was picking up his player option for 2025/26. James was one of 10 players who exercised a player option in June, but two factors made his case unique. First, the ’25/26 season will be the first time in his career that LeBron is on an expiring contract; and second, Paul was the only agent who put out a lengthy statement accompanying his client’s opt-in decision.
Within that statement, Paul said that LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future,” wants to contend for a title, and understands “the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future.”
“We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career,” Paul’s statement concluded. “He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
Even for a player like James, whose two-plus decades in the NBA have included countless cryptic – some might say passive-aggressive – interview responses, social media posts, and media leaks, this one was a pretty rich text. Was LeBron suggesting he wanted a trade? Expressing displeasure that he didn’t work out a multiyear deal with the Lakers? Putting pressure on the team to go all-in in 2025/26? Hinting that he plans to retire next year?
We haven’t gotten a definitive answer to those questions over the past two months, but Paul’s statement also didn’t lead to any sort of summer fireworks involving the Lakers and James. We know based on their stunning Luka Doncic deal in February that the Lakers are capable of keeping a blockbuster trade under wraps, but there has been no indication that we’re headed in that direction with James, at least not in 2025. All indications are that the 40-year-old will open the season in Los Angeles and look to win a title alongside Doncic.
Still, it’s clear that a passing of the torch is in process in Los Angeles. While the organization has revolved around James since 2018, the spotlight has shifted to Doncic, who was also at the center of some early offseason speculation. As of August 2, Doncic’s extend-and-trade restrictions would lift and he’d be eligible to sign a maximum-salary extension with the Lakers. Would he take advantage of that opportunity and commit to the team long-term?
As August 2 approached, it became clear that there would be no drama on that front either. Not only did Doncic sign a maximum-salary extension with the Lakers, but he did so on the first day he was eligible, forgoing potential 2026 free agency and signaling that he’s all-in on L.A.
With Doncic extended and things relatively quiet on the LeBron front following that June statement, the Lakers’ focus this offseason was primarily on upgrading the roster around their two stars. The front office, which backed out of a trade for center Mark Williams at February’s deadline due to concerns about his physical, didn’t return to the trade market to make those upgrades, instead using a series of cap exceptions in free agency to improve the team’s depth.
One of four teams to use its entire non-taxpayer mid-level exception this offseason, the Lakers split their MLE between forward Jake LaRavia and center Deandre Ayton.
Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick, is the more familiar name of the two and fills a greater hole for the Lakers, whose lack of a reliable big man was an Achilles heel in their first-round playoff loss to Minnesota in the spring. But LaRavia, an underrated, defensive-minded forward who is still just 23 years old – and whose shooting percentages significantly improved in his third NBA season – shouldn’t be overlooked.
LaRavia could play an important role for L.A., especially since the team lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency to Houston. Finney-Smith’s exit was a little surprising, given that he thrived following his mid-season trade to the Lakers and only got two fully guaranteed years on his deal with the Rockets. The Lakers could’ve matched that offer even while prioritizing 2027 cap flexibility, but they’re betting on LaRavia and a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt providing the wing defense they sacrificed with Finney-Smith’s departure.
The Lakers also prioritized defense with their bi-annual exception, using it to add former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. The veteran guard has battled injuries over the past couple seasons, but if he’s back to full health, Smart would be a bargain on his $5.1MM cap hit this season — even if he’s not quite the player he was in his prime years.
Finally, in need of more depth at center beyond Ayton, the Lakers used Jaxson Hayes‘ Non-Bird rights to give him a raise to 20% above his minimum salary. Hayes was overextended as the club’s starting center in the second half of last season, but as a backup on a fairly team-friendly deal, he’s certainly capable of returning positive value.
Up next
Obviously, if anything is going to happen before next summer with James, it will be the most pressing item on the Lakers’ agenda. But if we assume that the four-time MVP at least plays out his record-setting 23rd NBA season in Los Angeles, there’s not much left on the club’s offseason to-do list.
While the Lakers only have 14 players on standard guaranteed contracts, they don’t currently have a path to adding a 15th man, since they’re only operating $1.1MM away from their first-apron hard cap. If they don’t shed salary by making a trade or buying out a player, they’d have to wait until at least mid-January to sign a veteran free agent.
The Lakers do have a two-way contract slot open alongside Christian Koloko and Chris Manon. With five players signed to Exhibit 10 deals, there could be an open competition in training camp for that spot. Undrafted rookie forward Eric Dixon would presumably be the favorite if he’s healthy — he was reportedly expected to sign a two-way deal in June, but after a foot injury prevented him from suiting up for Summer League games, he got an Exhibit 10 contract instead.
The Lakers do still have a handful of extension-eligible players on the roster after agreeing to terms with Doncic. Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent, and Austin Reaves could all sign new deals. But Kleber and Vincent haven’t been healthy enough since arriving in L.A. to prove themselves as reliable, regular rotation players, and Hachimura may be more valuable as a trade chip if his contract remains expiring.
As for Reaves, he was offered an extension, but because he can’t sign for more than $89MM over four years at this point, he’s expected to wait until at least next summer, when he’d be eligible for a more lucrative contract.
Ayton was a great pickup for Lakers. I just wonder why Blazers would just dump him. I’m sure it has nothing to do. With helping Lakers become relevant since Bron is leaving ??????? Luka, Ayton, who else ……
Lakers are a playoff team. I doubt they get out of 1st rd. Best move they can make. Is buyout Bron at TD.
Perhaps it has something to do with spending lottery picks on centers two drafts in a row. Just a guess.
We dumped him because he never lived up to expectations. Next question
In all likelihood, Ayton will not work out for the Lakers. He isn’t the type of center they need and not good enough to start on any team that fancies itself a contender. If LeBron can get through to him and he has a change of attitude, approach, and commitment, great. But that would be an unexpected bonus. It’ll be interesting to see how things look for them at the center position come the trade deadline.
Yeah, Ayton is a big question mark. But they played surprisingly well with Hayes and small-ball with Rui and DFS after the trade. Until they got destroyed in the playoffs, that is. Losing DFS was a big blow for them.
It’ll be fascinating to see how it works out with Ayton. He and Luka are not a match made in heaven, that’s for sure.
But at least LAL got younger. Rui, Ayton, Reaves, Luka are all 26-27.
I don’t think Ayton is butting heads with Luka or anyone for a few reasons:
1. During his press conference he was very complimentary of Luka and very easily admitted that Luka is an exceptional talent and leader of the team. Unlike at Phoenix he will not be jockeying for best player.
2. During the press conference he talked about what his specific role with the Lakers will be. It wasn’t about being a scorers. It was all what Lakers need of him.
3. He needs to rehab his reputation if he wants a big contract again.
4. He was a serious lob threat with Paul in Phoenix, and Luka is much better than Paul and will attract much more attention than Paul freeing up Ayton more.
Ayton has to be good for him, not great, and he will be a major upgrade at center for the Lakers.
I was talking more about basketball and what happens on the court, not about his attitude. Luka plays well with a specific type of player. Gafford, Lively, even Dwight Powell and Hayes. He’s quite picky about it, and absolutely hated playing with Porzingis, who is on paper the best of the bunch. He hates soft pick-and-pop bigs. A jumper is a negative trait for a big on a team with Luka.
Ayton draws an abysmally small number of fouls for a big man, and per field goal attempt. Which means playing at a higher pace, not setting your defense and defending in open court. That’s one of the worst things you can do with Luka and also LeBron on your team. LAL need a big that gets fouled, for many reasons. It was one of the big reasons Hayes worked.
Kessler would be an excellent fit in almost every category, but there are several lower-profile bigs that Luka could work so well with – Bitadze, Missi, Diabate, maybe even Bona. Bitadze in particular would be a revelation for LAL, imo. Has good hands and can catch passes; sets screens and rolls to the basket hard; generally a good roller and good at handoffs; finishes only at the rim and gets fouled a lot; is a very good offensive rebounder; protects the rim (with some deficiencies like excessive fouling, but that’s not the worst when you have Luka and LeBron), but also moves rather well to cover space on defense; passes the ball well on the inside which would pair him well with cutters like LeBron, Reaves and Rui.
He’s already valued quite highly after he left Indiana, who tried to make him into a stretch 5, and revived his career in Orlando. If only Detroit or Dallas saw the same thing and tried to sign him somewhere in 21-23 to pair with Cade or Luka.
For LAL, Bitadze could have a glow-up that would turn him into one of the most desirable bigs in the league, just like Westbrook and later Luka turned Gafford into what he is now.
“Chris Paul threw lobs to Ayton, made him look good and they had a good connection” is not entirely true. He did throw lobs to Ayton, but Deandre actually played well without Paul, and before Paul arrived in Phoenix. And there was talk that Ayton didn’t like how CP3’s arrival affected him.
I live in SoCal, but have been watching the Mavs for the past several years because of Luka. I disagree with your points for a few reasons:
1. The problem with Porzingis was not the reason you gave. The problem was that Potzongis thought that he was the best player on the team ahd he wanted the offense to run through him. He also wanted the ball early and on the wing for him to create. Ayton is going to want the ball down low, and realizes that this is Luka’s team and Luka will be creating everything.
2. Luka himself recruited Ayton. So, he obviously thinks he can play very well with Ayton.
3. Ayton played very well receiving lobs from Paul. Luka is much better than Paul at both padding, and attracting double teams which will free up Ayton inside.
4. Ayton can be a good defender when motivated. Hard to be motivated on a team like the Blazers when you know the team is not going anywhere
5. Luka made Gafford and Lively look fantastic. He even made Powell look good. Ayton is more talented than all of them so the potential is much higher what Luka can do with Ayton.
Many of your points concern general team dynamics, and not what actually happens on the court. But at the end of the day, they will have to play basketball, not just make gestures.
LeBron and AD talked a lot about how they were going to work with Westbrook, how they are going to “share shots” etc., but in the end, basketball put everything in it’s place. One of the defining traits of Westbrook is his high pace, and that was the opposite of what LeBron and AD needed. Didn’t LeBron recruit Russ?
Booker, KD and Beal did the same in Phoenix, but it didn’t matter how much KD was saying “This is Devin’s team” or Devin saying “KD and Brad are great players, our games will complement each other”, as it turned out that having a team that shoots 50 jumpers out of 80 field goal attempts just doesn’t work.
Listen, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Ayton is on a small contract, so it’s whatever. And he is an upgrade over what LAL had.
As I said in another post, the Lakers have top three player, top 15 player in LeBron l, and top 40-50 player in Reaves. They don’t need Ayton to be great. They just need him to be good. He can definitely do that.
Opposing centers won’t be able to play off of him to double on another player on defense, and Ayton is athletic enough to do some good things on defense.
As you said he is a major upgrade on what Lakers had at center.
Problem with Russ is that he has been done as a player for years now. Phoenix had three score first guys who needed a facilitator and didn’t have that.
Again, when thinking that Ayton just has to be good, not great for the Lakers to be contenders l, makes me less worried about him.
The Lakers are legit contenders!
The Lakers have top three player (and now skinny Luka might be top player this year, and looks very good on defense too at EuroBasket). They have top 10-15 player in LeBron. They have top 40-50 player in Reaves.
They have a bench now. They acquired 4 rotation players and lost only one in DFS (Kleber is the 4th rotation player).
Having Luka the whole season. The whole team will be able to practice for the first time with KukaThey didn’t have one practice session with Luka after acquiring him last season. They had the most games in the league after he started playing cause of the LA fires.
Ayton just has to be good, not great, for him. At “good” he will be a major upgrade at center. Martha’s to be a good, for him, rotation player. LaRavia has to player similar to next year and not even take a step up.
Last playoffs, Luka was sick for two games, Rui had leg injury, Reaves broken toe, DFS bad ankle for which he got surgery after the playoffs, LeBron tentative coming off of groin injury, and they had no center. If healthy Lakers will be legit contenders with this squad.
As much as I love watching Doncic, Lebron and Reeves, they should really think of cashing in on Reeves if they can get good value in return. This fit will not bring any championship….No way you would put them above Nuggets and Thunder, and Rockets too really.
LaRavia and Ayton could work out well but will miss Finney Smith. Interesting to see how bad they will be defensively…who will step up and defend….I don’t see it
LeBron’s retiring after this season y’all, opt in for one last year of the ride