Alongside James’s departure, the Lakers are also poised to lose key veterans in free agency, including Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Rui Hachimura. As a result, the team is likely to look substantially different, featuring only a few familiar faces.
Consistente with reports of pursuing multiple sharpshooters and lob threats to complement Dončić, the Lakers appear to have expressed interest by moving to acquire Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency, or at least signaling that they are pursuing them. An NBA insider noted that teams around the league are operating as if Grimes and Mamukelashvili are already bound to the Lakers, even though formal agreements may not yet be in place. The Lakers’ freed cap space, driven by James’s exit, remains a significant factor in free-agent negotiations.
Grimes, a 26-year-old guard, is known for his 3-point shooting, converting approximately 36.6% from beyond the arc over his career. He finished the 2025-26 season with averages of about 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on a 45% shooting clip from the field. Mamukelashvili, a 27-year-old forward, posted averages of 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. The 6-foot-9 wing mirrors Grimes in three-point shooting, suggesting a continued emphasis on floor-spacing and modern wing play.
Beyond Grimes and Mamukelashvili, the Lakers are exploring other target options made possible by their cap flexibility. The organization has held meetings with Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren and is said to be weighing potential interest in Tobias Harris and Dean Wade. Internal discussions have highlighted the need to fill the wing position left vacant by James, with possible fits including Harris, Grimes, and Wade. Additionally, the Lakers have mentioned interest in two big men who are among the market’s top restricted free agents, namely Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler.
As free agency progresses, the Lakers are expected to finalize their roster plans and announce official signings for the 2026-27 season. The goal remains clear: assemble a competitive, versatile lineup around Dončić that can compete for a championship and sustain success in the years ahead. The coming days will reveal how the roster ultimately takes shape and which players will become core contributors for the Lakers in the post-LeBron era.
