⸮WHICH LAKERS STAY AND WHICH LAKERS GO?

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

Despite tales of turmoil told by mainstream media, things are not actually as bad as they may seem for the Lakeshow.

A solid 36-24 record has them slotted snuggly into the West’s 6th seed, a full two games ahead of division rival Phoenix heading into tonight’s clash with New Orleans. While the defense has left much to be desired (22nd in Defensive Rating), the offense has hummed harmoniously (57% Effective FG% = 2nd in the League) behind the constellation of Luka, LeBron, and Him (who have only shared the floor together as a trio in roughly a third of the team’s games). All in all, there has been a lot to like about how things have transpired thus far in the szn.

Positive vibes aside, the Lakers are almost certainly not winning a championship this season (we hope they do though, duh). The Thunder are still the Thunder. The Spurs and the Rockets are not far behind them, and let’s not forget about Jokic. Even if a 41-year-old LeBron and the Lakers could withstand the Western Conference gauntlet, you are probably looking at a Finals matchup with one of the following: the New Bad Boys of Detroit, Boston with Tatum (41-20 without him thus far), possibly the league’s deepest team in New York, or (probably not) Cleveland. Needless to say, no path is unpavable. But it would take a flawless postseason run for this season’s Lakers roster to win a chip…

…So if we are embracing that seemingly inevitable fate of postseason fizzle (as we should be), then the remainder of the regular season along with whatever postseason push the purple and gold have in them should realistically represent an audition for everybody not named Luka Doncic. And when it is all said + the offseason dust has settled this summer, here is how we project each current Lakers’ fate playing out with regards to the team’s future plans. Keep in mind the front office may have more cap space to play with than any other team.

LUKA DONCIC

As long as the Don is playing NBA basketball, nobody should anticipate him doing so for any team besides the Lakers anytime soon, or ever for that matter.

AUSTIN REAVES

While everyone expected AR to make another leap this season, no one foresaw his early season extravaganza (32 PPG x 9 APG x 5.3 RPG x 1.7 SPG x 50.4% FG x 36.2% 3FG x 91% FT across the six opening games in October). He looks every bit as comfortable playing alongside Doncic as Kyrie Irving looked in Dallas, and could feasibly pair with Luka to form one of the league’s premier perimeter partnerships throughout the next 5-10 seasons as they are both just now entering their respective primes. While Reaves may not receive the full 5-year, $241 million supermax he seeks this summer, his next contract with the Lakers should not be too far off from that territory.

LEBRON JAMES

Regardless of whether LBJ decides to retire from the game or return for another go-round, this season should be LeBron’s final as a Laker. The idea of him returning to Cleveland is the story-book ending everyone may be hoping for. But would it not make more sense for James to join Steph Curry and his bestie Draymond in the Bay for one last boogie? Could KD hop aboard the potential banana boat and return to Golden State as well?

MARCUS SMART

The Marcus Smart signing seemed like a steal back in July ‘25, and the former DPOY has turned assumptions to reality. His physicality sets the tone defensively, and he still has some secondary play/shotmaking pizzazz. Los Angeles loses a few games they have won this year without Smart’s presence, and the trusty vet seems happy where he is at. Pick up that $5.3 million player option, continue doing what you have been doing next season and Rob Pelinka should have a hefty pay raise in store for you.

DEANDRE AYTON

Think what you want and say what you please about Deandre Ayton’s streaky demeanor, there is simply no denying that he has 100% been worth every penny of his $8.1 million salary. His per-36 minute figures have been impressive for a 4th/5th option: 16.6 PPG x 10.7 RPG x 1.2 BPG x 66.7% from the field (2nd in the league, btw). There have been some nights this szn in which Ayton has arguably outperformed some of the league’s best bigs. If he picks up his player option for next season and genuinely buys all the way in, there is only one obstacle holding him back from a surefire future with this franchise: himself.

RUI HACHIMURA

Have we reached the point where you just assume it is going in anytime Rui shoots a jumper? He is currently connecting on 44.1% of his triple tries, and has continued to showcase Kawhi-like magic in the midrange. Unless you are exchanging him for a vet like Andrew Wiggins or Tobias Harris, there will not be many wings of Hachimura’s caliber on the open market this offseason. And are guys like that really an upgrade to a guy that’s already established relationships with some of the aforementioned pillars above and returning role players below?

LUKE KENNARD

Luke Kennard is hitting 48.3% from deep with the Lakers. We repeat: Luke Kennard is hitting 48.3% from deep with the Lakers. His shooting gravity opens up opportunities for the stars to shine, and he is sneaky crafty when he puts it on the deck and slithers his way towards the cup. And you can clearly see real defensive effort from him?

RUN IT BACK.

JAKE LARAVIA

LaRavia has been far from spectacular this season, but he has been serviceable nonetheless in any role asked of him as the team has navigated various injury issues. He is a Swiss army knife of sorts, and should be extra inspired to ball out given ‘26-’27 is a contract year for him.

JARRED VANDERBILT

Rob Pelinka will certainly keep Vando’s $12.4 million salary in his back pocket as he considers potential trades this offseason, but his demonic style of defense combined with his matchup malleability and age (turns 27 in April) make JV a guy who could continue to make an impact for this team in the years to come. Even if he never fully turns the corner as a true 3&D glue guy (peaked in December when he splashed 52.6% of his 2.4 3PA/game), simply continuing his manners as a defensive menace should/could/would pay dividends for the entire program.

JAXSON HAYES

Hayes could certainly fall under the flight risk category, but his Slovenian synergy with the Don signals a potential desire to stick around. The 7-foot athletic freak has legitimately evolved into one of the game’s better backup big men. His abilities as a connective passer are slept on, and if/when he shoots/dunks he rarely misses (77% FG on 3.7 FGA/game). Whether he retains his spot as the backup center or slides to a reserve role in the frontcourt, the team could do a lot worse than a 25 year-old (26 in May) Jaxson Hayes within it’s center rotation.

MAXI KLEBER

Speaking of the center rotation, Maxi Kleber has really started to round into shape recently after a mysterious start to his Laker tenure. The German big fella can capably hold his own when switched onto perimeter threats, and has exuded enforcer type vibes for this team since he started re-discovering his rhythm on the floor. Regardless of his recent resurgence, Kleber’s days as a Laker are likely numbered assuming the team looks to spice up the depth chart.

DALTON KNECHT

Remember once upon a time last year when Dalton Knecht looked like a potential cornerstone for this team? That memory seems like a lifetime ago, and if the Lakers do not find a trade partner they could quite possibly decline his team option for next year. It is nuts the difference a year can make..

BRONNY JAMES

Bronny’s contract is fully non-guaranteed for next season, and it would only make sense for him to join his pops at wherever his final pit stop takes him/them.

ADOU THIERO

The glimpses of greatness have been few and far in between during Thiero’s rookie year, but the athletic gifts he has exhibited in limited big league action has been unreal. The way he bounces around the court is reminiscent of a Jonathan Kuminga-esque, although his offensive game is much rougher around the edges than Kuminga’s was as a rookie. Opposing execs could pursue the soon-to-be 22-year-old’s youth in plausible trade package proposals. The Lakers will probably rebuke those rumblings as they look to groom him into a serviceable rotation wing.

KOBE BUFKIN

Bufkin’s G-League dominance earned him a 2-year contract (Player Option for next season), but it just seems inevitable for the front office to cut ties with him to open up roster flexibility as they look to re-tool it’s roster around Luka Doncic this offseason.