Lakers Aim to Land Giannis, Re-Sign Reaves in Offseason

Team also looking to bolster scouting and analytics departments as they seek to return to title contention.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly focused on several key offseason priorities, including pursuing a potential trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, re-signing guard Austin Reaves, and beefing up their scouting and basketball operations staff. The team is also unsure about the future of LeBron James, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Why it matters

The Lakers are looking to retool their roster and infrastructure in order to build a championship-caliber team around star Luka Dončić. Acquiring a player of Giannis' caliber would be a franchise-altering move, while re-signing Reaves and upgrading their scouting would provide important complementary pieces. The future of LeBron James also looms large, as his decision could significantly impact the Lakers' offseason plans.

The details

The Lakers see Giannis Antetokounmpo as a potential "Holy Grail" target, but acquiring him would be extremely difficult even if he requests a trade from Milwaukee. The team could offer three first-round picks, Austin Reaves in a sign-and-trade, and matching salary, but other teams would likely have better offers. The Lakers are also focused on re-signing Reaves, who has emerged as a valuable secondary playmaker alongside Dončić. To build a contender, the team is targeting two-way wing players in free agency, with names like Andrew Wiggins, Tobias Harris, Tari Eason, and Peyton Watson mentioned as potential targets. Meanwhile, the future of LeBron James remains uncertain, as the 41-year-old is an unrestricted free agent this summer and may consider a return to Cleveland.

  • LeBron James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer at age 41.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A superstar forward for the Milwaukee Bucks who the Lakers would love to acquire if he becomes available via trade.

Austin Reaves

A guard for the Lakers who has emerged as a valuable secondary playmaker, and the team is focused on re-signing him this offseason.

Luka Dončić

The star player for the Dallas Mavericks, who the Lakers are looking to build a contender around.

LeBron James

The Lakers' 41-year-old superstar who is an unrestricted free agent this summer and whose future with the team is uncertain.

Rob Pelinka

The Lakers' general manager who will be in charge of the team's offseason plans.

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What they’re saying

“LeBron just 'wants to live' and has not decided if he will play next season, he said during All-Star weekend.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Lakers will need to determine if they can put together a competitive offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo if he becomes available, while also focusing on re-signing Austin Reaves and adding complementary two-way wing players in free agency. The team's future plans will also hinge on whether LeBron James decides to return for another season.

The takeaway

The Lakers are clearly in a transitional period as they look to build a championship contender around Luka Dončić. Their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo is ambitious, but the team is also focused on more realistic goals like re-signing Reaves and upgrading their supporting cast. The future of LeBron James also remains a wild card that could significantly impact their offseason strategy.