The Lakers kept it quiet at the trade deadline - at least on the surface. While their name swirled in rumors tied to bigger moves, the only deal they pulled off was a modest one: sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Hawks in exchange for sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
But don’t mistake that restraint for inaction. According to general manager Rob Pelinka, the front office was active in its own way - just not in the way fans might expect.
“One form of being aggressive is saying no,” Pelinka said. “Sometimes the hardest thing is passing on a player who could help right now, but doesn’t fit the long-term vision.” That kind of discipline, especially in a league that rewards bold moves and quick fixes, speaks to a front office playing the long game.
And that long game? It’s centered around Luka Dončić.
Sources close to Dončić say the All-NBA guard is on board with the Lakers’ big-picture approach - a strategy that preserved their top trade assets and future cap flexibility. That patience could pay off in a major way this summer.
Even if Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their player options, Los Angeles is positioned to create over $50 million in cap space. That figure doesn’t include LeBron James, whose future with the team remains an open question.
If LeBron wants to keep playing into 2026-27, the Lakers would welcome him back with open arms. Pelinka has made it clear he wants James to retire in purple and gold, and that sentiment hasn’t changed.
But there are voices around the league who believe the franchise may be better off pivoting. One Eastern Conference executive put it bluntly: “Let him walk and use the space to retool around Luka.
Keeping Austin Reaves is critical. Dončić thrives with another ball handler, like he had with Kyrie and Brunson.”
The Lakers, meanwhile, have already started mapping out their summer wishlist. Internally, they’ve discussed potential free agent targets like Andrew Wiggins and Tari Eason - though both come with caveats.
Wiggins has a player option for 2026-27, and Eason will be a restricted free agent, meaning Houston can match any offer. Peyton Watson is another name to watch.
If the Nuggets can’t afford to match an aggressive offer sheet due to second-apron constraints, the Lakers could swoop in.
Pelinka hinted at this broader strategy earlier this month, saying, “We felt like creating optionality now is really a positive thing for us this coming offseason. Some teams have gotten too deep into the aprons, and when that happens, players become available.”
That optionality could also shape how the Lakers build out the roster around Dončić. One rival executive told ESPN the team needs to prioritize “defenders with length who can knock down shots.”
In other words, versatile wings who can space the floor and hold their own on the perimeter. Think Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes, and Dean Wade - all of whom are set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Of course, there’s one name that looms larger than the rest: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Milwaukee reopens trade talks this summer, the Lakers believe they’ll be in the mix. With the ability to trade up to three first-round picks - in 2026, 2031, and 2033 - Los Angeles has the draft capital to make a serious run. One Western Conference executive even called Giannis the “big prize” the Lakers are eyeing.
So while the deadline came and went with minimal fireworks, the Lakers are clearly setting the stage for a potentially seismic offseason. They’ve kept their powder dry, maintained flexibility, and positioned themselves to chase stars while building a sustainable core around Dončić. Whether that means adding Giannis, re-signing LeBron, or making savvy role-player additions, the Lakers are playing chess - not checkers - and the next move could reshape the Western Conference.