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Lakers’ Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in November 2025
It has been well-documented that the Los Angeles Lakers are positioned to enter the offseason with significant cap flexibility, giving them a real opportunity to reshape their roster.
With LeBron James widely expected to come off the books, Los Angeles is projected to have more than $55 million in available cap space, a sizeable runway for roster recalibration.
Austin Reaves is anticipated to decline his player option to secure a more lucrative deal, while Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton also hold options of their own.
Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard, and Maxi Kleber are set to become unrestricted free agents, as is a key rotation piece.
Lakers Face Key Decision on Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura will also hit unrestricted free agency, with his three-year, $51 million contract, which pays him $18.2 million through 2025-26, coming to an end.
General manager Rob Pelinka will likely look externally to upgrade the roster. Per ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, potential options include Peyton Watson, Keon Ellis, Robert Williams III, and Mitchell Robinson.
Still, retaining Hachimura could remain firmly on the table if the price aligns.
Through 44 games, including 31 starts, the 28-year-old is averaging 12.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting a career-best 44.7% from three-point range.
It marks his third straight season shooting above 40% from deep, highlighting the value of his floor spacing.
Whether the Lakers ultimately prioritize him or not, interest is expected. Air Alamo’s Cal Durrett has identified the San Antonio Spurs as a potential suitor.
“It’s not often that the San Antonio Spurs can steal a player from the Los Angeles Lakers, but that could happen this summer,” Durrett wrote. “Hachimura, he might warrant a closer look from the Spurs.”
“San Antonio could also be looking to retool their roster, part of it at least. Power forward Harrison Barnes may not return next season, and Jeremy Sochan was just waived. Therefore, the Silver and Black could roll with Julian Champagnie and Carter Bryant at the four next season with spot minutes from Luke Kornet.”
“Hachimura would be a terrific offensive fit, and I could see him filling a role similar to Barnes… the Spurs could offer him a 2-year deal worth around $30 million.”
Spurs Present Realistic Competition in Free Agency
With uncertainty at the power forward position, San Antonio is widely expected to assess the position this summer, potentially opening the door for a move for Hachimura.
The Spurs are not projected to be major spenders, but they have created additional flexibility after waiving Jeremy Sochan, who later joined the New York Knicks via the buyout market.
San Antonio is aiming to build on its rise in the Western Conference while maximizing the final season of Victor Wembanyama’s rookie-scale contract before a substantial extension begins.
According to The Athletic’s Danny Leroux, the Spurs are projected to have access to the full $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, a mechanism that could allow them to pursue Hachimura without overextending financially.
The Lakers reportedly explored moving Hachimura’s expiring deal at the trade deadline but found limited interest. Whether he commands a raise remains unclear, though at 28 and in his prime, elite perimeter shooting typically translates well in free agency.
Per Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Los Angeles is also expected to monitor several restricted free agents, including Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren, as it looks to aggressively pursue talent from around the league.
The complication, of course, is that restricted free agency allows a player’s current team to match any offer sheet.
That dynamic could slow the Lakers’ offseason maneuvering, potentially leaving rival franchises positioned to act quickly, whether that means poaching external targets or prying away their own free agents.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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