Lakers' potential free-agency targets after LeBron James era

With LeBron James entering what could very well be his final season in the NBA, the Lakers are already looking at a future without their cornerstone star. 

If James retires or walks away next summer, Los Angeles could clear more than $50 million in cap space heading into 2026. That kind of flexibility is rare for a franchise like the Lakers — and could finally give them the freedom to build a roster more tailored to Luka Doncic’s prime.

The problem? The 2026 free-agency class might not be all that impressive. Kevin Durant will be close to 38 and just got traded to the Rockets this summer. The odds of him hitting the market and leaving Houston are incredibly slim. Beyond that, you’re looking at names like James Harden, Trae Young and Zach LaVine. All are talented in their own right, but none of them feel like the perfect fit alongside Doncic. Some are ball-dominant, others have shaky health or contract baggage and none are the type of defensive-minded, two-way star this team might need.

That’s where 2027 becomes way more interesting.

That summer could be the real target for the Lakers front office. The big prize? Nikola Jokic. There have been whispers for years about his close relationship with Doncic, and the idea of them teaming up has been floated more than once. The chemistry is undeniable — they’ve shined together on the international stage, and their games complement each other in a way that would break the NBA. Is it likely? Probably not. But if Jokic doesn’t re-sign with Denver and hits free agency in 2027, you can bet the Lakers will make a call.

The other name to watch, of course, is Giannis Antetokounmpo. His situation with the Bucks has been under the microscope for a while now, and if Milwaukee suffers another early playoff exit this upcoming season, things could get dicey. Antetokounmpo can opt out in 2027, and there are already teams quietly lining up to see what happens. The Lakers will be one of them. Pairing Antetokounmpo with Doncic would be a game-changer — two of the most dominant physical forces in the league on the same roster.

Beyond those two, 2027 also features Donovan Mitchell, who will still be in his prime, and Kawhi Leonard, though a move from the Clippers to the Lakers feels extremely unlikely given the L.A. rivalry. Still, if Leonard wanted one last shot at a ring in a new situation, the Lakers’ infrastructure and exposure could appeal to him.

Then there’s 2028. By then, Doncic will have likely signed his supermax extension, which could limit some cap flexibility, but there will still be stars available. Joel Embiid could hit free agency, and so could Bam Adebayo, Zion Williamson, Domantas Sabonis and even Kyrie Irving if the idea of a reunion ever comes back on the table. It’s hard to project that far out, but it’s clear that if the Lakers play their cards right, they can remain in the superstar sweepstakes for years to come.

This upcoming season feels like the bridge between eras. If James walks away in 2026, the franchise could finally shift its focus fully onto Doncic’s timeline. With the right moves and a little patience, the post-LeBron Lakers might still have a path to building a title-contending roster — it just might take until 2027 to get there.