Which of their own free agents should the Lakers prioritize?

This postseason has left the Lakers with many questions heading into next year. The Purple and Gold seemingly defied the odds to defeat the Houston Rockets despite missing  Austin Reaves for most of the series and Luka Doncic for the entire postseason. They then ran into a brick wall in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Doncic's absence makes the Lakers’ postseason evaluation complicated.

Heading into this offseason, the Lakers have several unrestricted free agents and will need to carefully construct the roster to maximize Doncic’s prime. As next season approaches, these are the names that should be at the top of the Lakers' list:

Rui Hachimura

Since being acquired in 2023, Hachimura has proven his value and served as a key rotation player, especially during the postseason. Hachimura made a strong case for himself this postseason, averaging 17.5 points per game and shooting 56.9% from 3-point range, the highest in NBA playoff history. Hachimura has demonstrated that he is a solid defender, and his consistent shooting, paired with Doncic’s playmaking ability, can help space the floor and continue serving as one of the pillars for the team's offense.

Luke Kennard

The Lakers’ decision to acquire Kennard at the deadline has reaped great benefits. Following the move to Los Angeles, he continued to shoot consistently from 3-point range and played a major role in the Lakers' first-round win against the Houston Rockets. 

After erupting for 27 and 23 points in the series’ first two games, Kennard came down to earth, but still proved that he can provide meaningful scoring outputs on certain nights. Alongside a healthy Doncic, he can likely provide the Lakers with some much-needed scoring and playmaking while facing less defensive pressure.

Austin Reaves

Reaves’ performance early in the season was at an All-Star level until two major injuries hindered what had been his best season to date. Reaves’ struggles in the playoffs may have raised questions about whether the Lakers should give him the payday that he is likely seeking.

Despite his postseason performance, it would be wise for the Lakers to bring Reaves back. He has improved every season, and Doncic has implied that he wants him to return.  While it may be tempting for the Lakers to spend their money elsewhere, there is no guarantee that they can find a replacement as effective as him.

With a move like this, the lack of defense from the starting front court could be an area of concern. If this is the case, the Lakers will need to find a creative solution to surround the duo with cap-friendly defensive pieces to bridge the gap and remain competitive. 

LeBron James

James has been the cornerstone of the franchise for nearly a decade, and his impending free agency could determine the Lakers' direction moving forward. There has been speculation that James may be willing to take a veteran's minimum deal. If this is a possibility, the Lakers would need to jump at the idea. 

James proved once again this postseason that he is still a force on both ends of the floor, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game. Adding that level of production on a minimum contract would put the Lakers in an ideal position to improve the depth of their roster. 

If James is unwilling to take a minimum deal, the situation could become more complicated. Even so, it may still be worth exploring how a full season featuring Doncic, James and Reaves could operate.