After the midseason trade that saw the Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis switch teams, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in a strange place. With both Luka and LeBron James on the roster, the front office is having a little trouble figuring out who to build around.
Here's a hint: it's Luka.
For years, the Lakers have been on the verge of greatness. They have all the pieces they need to be a true contender. Well, except for a center they can count on to dominate the paint at both ends of the court. Only time will tell if that person is Deandre Ayton or not.
Here's another hint: he won't be.
The problem for the Lakers is that some of their best young talent will become free agents after this season. And fans can bet that several teams will be keeping an eye on the situation, particularly the Kings who may be interested in at least two big names.
The Kings have an interesting offseason coming
After the 2025-2026 season, Rui Hachimura will be an unrestricted free agent. On top of that, Austin Reaves will be able to exercise his player option and explore free agency, as well. Reaves is widely expected to do just that, making him a potentially huge player on the move.
Both players have indicated a preference to stay with the Lakers. That makes sense being that the LeBron era is all but over and the potential to win titles alongside Luka Doncic is huge. But if the Kings' front office has their heads screwed on right, they'll make plays for each of them.
Rui offers efficient scoring from different ranges as well as strong off-ball handling. Austin is known for his patience on the court, which feeds into his smart playmaking and explosive scoring. The Kings can make good use of both athletes who would balance out their roster well.
The only question is if the Kings are actually willing to make such big moves.