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Latest Lakers Free Agency Rumors and Tracker

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be as busy as any team in the league this summer during NBA free agency and with potential game-changing trades.
Ryan Ward|
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka speaks before introducing Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka speaks before introducing Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

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Los Angeles Lakers

NBA free agency is officially underway, with the Los Angeles Lakers expected to be as busy as any team in the league, with several players on the current roster hitting the open market.

The primary goal is to build a title contender around superstar guard Luka Doncic, which will be easier said than done, even with a league-high $52 million in cap space at the Lakers' disposal.

July 7

Jonathan Kuminga Pursuit Continues for Lakers

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga
Apr 18, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dribbles during the second half of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

One player who has been linked to the Lakers more than anyone recently has been Jonathan Kuminga, formerly of the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers seem intent on signing Kuminga in free agency, but might need to put together a sign-and-trade scenario with the Hawks to make it happen, given the team's salary cap limitations.

Along with the Lakers expressing interest in the 23-year-old wing, the Cleveland Cavaliers are also rumored to be interested. A return to the Hawks is also still an option for the one-time NBA champion.

Lakers Bring in Veteran Center Kevon Looney

New Orleans Pelicans forward Kevon Looney
Feb 11, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Kevon Looney (55) looks on against the Miami Heat during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After parting ways with Deandre Ayton in a trade with the Washington Wizards, the Lakers have been searching for Walker Kessler's backup at the center position.

On Tuesday, the team found that player, with Kevon Looney agreeing to a one-year deal to help bolster the frontcourt in Los Angeles.

Looney brings a veteran presence and championship experience. He won three NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors before spending one season with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2025-26 campaign.

July 5

Cavs Keeping Roster Spot Open for Bronny James?

If LeBron James decides to take his talents back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bronny James could be going with him.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Cavs might be keeping a roster spot open for the third-year guard in the event they sign LeBron in free agency.

This wouldn't be all that surprising, especially if the Lakers can get some draft capital back in exchange for the 21-year-old guard.

July 3

Bronny James' Fate Potentially Linked to LeBron James' Decision

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James guard Bronny James
Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gives the ball to guard Bronny James (9) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With LeBron James letting it be known that he will not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, the rumors have been running rampant about where he'll play next season, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers expected to be in the running for his services.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Bronny could be on the move to join his dad once LeBron makes his decision in free agency.

There isn't much left to do for now, other than the possible Hachimura move. Once LeBron makes his decision on his next team, there could be a subsequent move made with Bronny.

It'll be interesting to see if this comes to fruition and maybe the Lakers can come away with a second-round pick.

Andre Drummond to Sign With the Knicks

Shortly after the door opened for Andre Drummond to return to the Lakers, the journeyman inked a deal with the New York Knicks to replace Mitchell Robinson, who agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics earlier this week, via ESPN's Shams Charania.

Drummond might've been the best option of the three, so the focus now shifts to Jonas Valanciunas, Kevon Looney or potential other free agents at the center position.

Lakers Linked to 3 Veteran Centers to Replace Deandre Ayton

Following the Deandre Ayton trade, the Lakers are expected to target another veteran big man in NBA free agency.

Those three centers are former Laker Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards

In an expected move, the Lakers have traded veteran center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

After opting into the final year of his deal with the Lakers, the consensus was that he'd be moved, especially after the team traded for Walker Kessler and signed Sandro Mamukelashvili earlier in the week.

July 1

Jaxson Hayes Leaves Lakers, Signs With Jazz

The roster overhaul continues for the Lakers, with veteran center Jaxson Hayes being the latest to leave the franchise.

Following the blockbuster trade to acquire Walker Kessler, Deandre Ayton opting into the final year of his contract and the addition of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Hayes became the odd man out in the frontcourt in Los Angeles.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Hayes has agreed to a two-year deal with the Jazz.

Hayes was thought to be one of the players from last season that would re-sign with the team, but it appears the aggressive pursuit of Kessler may have changes things, even though he's close with Luka Doncic and recently became a Slovenian citizen.

Collin Sexton Agrees to Deal With Lakers

Along with agreeing to a long-term deal with Quentin Grimes, with Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart heading elsewhere, the Lakers have brought in veteran guard Collin Sexton on a two-year deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Lakers Bring in Quentin Grimes

The Lakers have brought in more help in the backcourt following the departure of Marcus Smart by agreeing to terms on a four-year deal with guard Quentin Grimes, reuniting him with Luka Doncic, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Lakers Agree to Terms With Sandro Mamukelashvili

Shortly after the Walker Kessler trade was announced, the Lakers reportedly agreed to terms with big man Sandro Mamukelashvili, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Mamukelashvili was one of the players linked to the Lakers since NBA free agency got underway, as he helps address a need in the frontcourt alongside Kessler.

Lakers Acquire Walker Kessler in Blockbuster Trade With Jazz

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have acquired center Walker Kessler in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers were eerily quiet to begin NBA free agency, but it appears that this is the reason why, as the team got their top target of the offseason, acquiring the A-list center they've been wanting to pair with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Marcus Smart Leaves Lakers to Sign With Rockets

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, defensive-minded guard Marcus Smart has agreed to a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets.

Another surprising move, with Smart signing for less than expected. It was widely speculated that Smart opted out of the final year of his deal with the Lakers to ink a three-year deal worth $21 million, but $13 million over the next two seasons was enough to convince him to sign with Houston.

So after one full day of wheeling and dealing in the NBA as free agency has gotten underway, the Lakers have lost three of their key players on their roster, with LeBron James saying he's going to sign elsewhere, Luke Kennard headed to the Phoenix Suns and Smart joining the Rockets.

Not an ideal start for the Lakers this summer.

June 30 (Start of Free Agency)

Lakers Get Surprising Second Meeting With Jalen Duren

The Lakers must have made an impression on restricted free agent Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons after meeting with the rising star once NBA free agency began on Tuesday, as they have been granted a second meeting with the 22-year-old on Wednesday.

Although the Pistons are in control of the situation, as they can match any offer sheet the Lakers extend to the All-Star center, Duren seems to have one foot out in Detroit because the franchise doesn't seem willing to pay him what he wants.

That said, the Lakers might have an opportunity to steal the rising star this summer if they offer a deal the Pistons simply aren't willing to match.

Luke Kennard Leaves Lakers to Sign With Suns

Along with losing LeBron James, who intends to sign elsewhere, during the first day of NBA free agency, the Lakers have also lost sharpshooter Luke Kennard.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Kennard has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns.

Kennard signing with the Suns is a bit of a surprise, considering the amount. He played well for the Lakers and became a good fit after the team acquired him ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick.

It'd be safe to assume the Lakers have other plans because it doesn't seem like it would've been too hard to re-sign one of the best three-point shooters in the league on a short-term deal.

Tobias Harris & Dean Wade Receive Interest From Lakers

The Lakers have yet to make a signing in NBA free agency, but the team does have interest in some notable free agents, with Tobias Harris and Dean Wade being the latest getting mentioned by ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Although Harris is not the player he once was with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, the veteran wing can still make an impact on the floor.

During the 2025-26 campaign with the Detroit Pistons, Harris averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from deep.

As for Wade, the Kansas State product averaged a career-high 22.3 minutes per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting up 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three-point range.

Lakers Remain Interested in Walker Kessler

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, restricted free agent Walker Kessler is holding meetings with interested teams, with the Lakers being one of those teams.

All signs have pointed to the Utah Jazz, much like the Detroit Pistons with Jalen Duren, will match any offer sheet signed by Kessler.

However, there's a chance that the Lakers' offer is sizable enough that the Jazz might be forced to make a tough decision, resulting in a potential sign-and-trade scenario.

It's early in the process, but it's not beyond the realm of possiblity that the Lakers can figure out a way to land this elite center this summer.

Lakers Set to Meet With Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Lakers didn't make any signings immediately after NBA free agency began on Tuesday, but they are set to meet with a potential solid addition to the squad in veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr., according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.

Oubre spent the last three seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and a career-high 36 percent from beyond the arc.

The 30-year-old would be an interesting addition to the Lakers roster, providing some defense and shooting.

Lakers' Free Agency Targets Emerge

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers have a list of targets heading into NBA free agency, including two of their own players: Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura.

The other names aren't all that surprising: Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, Peyton Watson, Mitchell Robinson and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

It'll be interesting to see which of these players are actually realistic targets for the Lakers once the madness gets underway on Tuesday afternoon.

Lakers Linked to Quentin Grimes & Sandro Mamukelashvili

It appears that former Dallas Mavericks teammate Quentin Grimes could reunite with Luka Doncic on the Lakers, as he and Toronto Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili might be targets for Los Angeles in NBA free agency, according to Yossi Gozlan.

Interesting moves as signing both players still preserves cap space for Rob Pelinka and company to use to land a potential game-changing player this summer.

LeBron James Won't Return to Lakers

Ahead of the start of free agency on June 30, the Lakers were informed that superstar forward LeBron James has decided to leave the storied franchise after eight years with the team.

James has let it be known that he will play a record-setting 24th season in the NBA, but it won't be with the Lakers, as he intends to sign elsewhere.

However, despite the constant speculation about his immediate future, he hasn't made a decision on which team he'll be joining as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The rumors swirling around the league have James linked to the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat or a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third and final stint with the team that drafted him back in 2003.

June 29

Marcus Smart Trending Toward Leaving Lakers

After one season with the Lakers, all signs are pointing toward Marcus Smart leaving the team as an unrestricted free agent after he opted out of the final year of his deal with the franchise.

Ever since the end of the 2025-26 campaign, the rumors circulating about Smart have been that the Lakers want him back, even if he opts out of his deal in hopes of landing a long-term deal. The one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year exceeded expectations last season while becoming the backbone of the defense and a leader in the locker room for Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, the Houston Rockets appear ready to swoop in sign him to a three-year deal worth $21 million. It remains to be seen if the Lakers are willing to offer the same in order to prevent Smart reuniting with his former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka in Houston.

Deandre Ayton Opts in to Stay With Lakers

Much like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton had a player opton on his two-year deal with the Lakers.

Unlike Smart, the veteran center has decided to opt into that $8.1 million for the 2026-27 campaign, securing his future in purple and gold for the time being.

However, with the Lakers determined to land an A-list center this summer, Ayton could be on the move in a trade before next season.

June 28

Rui Hachimura Set to Draw Interest From Spurs & Nets

Sharpshooting forward Rui Hachimura will have no lack of interest when he hits NBA free agency, with the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets expected to pursue him.

Hachimura is coming off a season in which he became one of the best stretch fours in the NBA, putting on the show with his outside shooting during the regular season which carried over the playoffs.

It remains uncertain how much the Lakers value the Japanese star and whether they can compete with the Spurs and Nets once free agency gets underway.

Lakers Make Chris Manon a Restricted Free Agent

After spending most of his rookie campaign with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, the defensive-minded guard was tendered a qualifying offer this summer, making him a restricted free agent.

Manon was a standout in the G League, proving to be one of the best defensive players on that level. He made the G League’s All-Defense team while also finishing second in the voting for the G League Defensive Player of the Year.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Manon in Los Angeles, but the team clearly seems to believe he might be able to be a formidable defender on the NBA level if given the opportunity.

June 24

Austin Reaves Signs 4-Year, $185 Million Contract With Lakers

The Lakers' top priority heading into the NBA offseason was securing the long-term future of Austin Reaves, who the team believes is the ideal player to pair with Luka Doncic in the backcourt in Los Angeles.

Although there were some doubts about whether a deal would get done that Reaves would agree to, the rising star didn't take long to agree to terms on a four-year, $185 million deal, making his contract the richest by an undrafted player in NBA history.

Doncic and Reaves will be leading the way in the Lakers' backcourt for the foreseeable future.

Lakers' Free Agents

Player

Status

LeBron James

Unrestricted Free Agent (Leaving)

Austin Reaves

Signing 4-Year, $185 Million

Rui Hachimura

Unrestricted Free Agent

Marcus Smart

Signing with Rockets (2 years, $13 Million)

Deandre Ayton

Exercised Player Option ($8.1 Million)

Luke Kennard

Signing with Suns (2 years, $13 Million)

Jaxson Hayes

Signing with Jazz (2 years, $12 Million)

Maxi Kleber

Unrestricted Free Agent

Chris Manon

Restricted Free Agent

Drew Timme

Unrestricted Free Agent

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Ryan Ward
RYAN WARD

Ryan Ward is an NBA journalist and a credentialed reporter with more than 15 years of experience covering the league and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has written for ClutchPoints, Lakers Nation, Heavy, Rotowire and EssentiallySports. Ryan also produces a podcast and video content focused on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA at large.

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