NBA Insider Reveals Lakers' Potential Targets in Free Agency

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers have a few names on their list of potential targets in NBA free agency this summer.

Unrestricted free agents who have been discussed internally, sources told ESPN, include Andrew Wiggins and Tari Eason, while Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile.

Along with those five players, perhaps the most intriguing target for the Lakers during the offseason, outside of Antetokounmpo, is Peyton Watson, who will be a restricted free agent, via McMenamin.

The Lakers also privately discussed restricted free agent Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN, and could land him if Denver, which already has $215 million in salary committed to returning players for next season, doesn't match the offer sheet.

This summer will mark the beginning of the team's efforts to build a championship contender around Doncic. The Lakers didn't exactly make game-changing moves last summer, with the additions of Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton.

Although all three have had their moments during the 2025-26 campaign, they haven't moved the needle enough for the Lakers to be considered a legitimate title contender in the Western Conference this season, meaning more work needs to be done this summer.

Fortunately for Los Angeles, the team will have considerable cap space in free agency, even after signing Austin Reaves to a long-term deal, which seems to be the team's plan moving forward.

Lakers Reportedly Open to LeBron James Returning

All signs have pointed to the Lakers and superstar LeBron James parting ways this summer, with the four-time NBA champion either retiring or choosing to leave the team in free agency, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors rumored to be interested in signing him as a free agent.

However, McMenamin reported on Tuesday that the Lakers' brass is open to bringing James back, which is interesting and may complicate the team's plans depending on how much he'd want to return for what would likely be his last season in the NBA.

It remains to be seen how this all pans out, as there are quite a few ways the Lakers' front office could go from here on out, especially if the team wants to follow the Dodgers' footsteps and become a perennial title contender.