Rob Pelinka: Lakers Would ‘Love’ to Have LeBron Back, Focus Shifts to Luka Era

LeBron James mulls future as Lakers eye rebuild around Luka Doncic

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said the team would welcome LeBron James back for a 24th season but is now focused on building around Luka Doncic. LA also wants to re-sign Austin Reaves after his career-high 23.3 PPG campaign.

After a first-round exit, LA’s front office is planning for the future with Doncic while hoping LeBron and Austin Reaves return...

The Los Angeles Lakers would welcome LeBron James back for a 24th NBA season, but general manager Rob Pelinka said Tuesday the team’s long-term plan is to build around Luka Doncic.

A day after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick spoke to reporters about what’s next for the franchise.

LeBron, 41, said Monday he’ll take time before deciding on his future as he enters free agency, and Pelinka said the Lakers will “honor” whatever process he chooses.

“We probably haven't seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he's honored the game,” Pelinka said of the four-time champion and all-time leading NBA scorer.

“He's given so much to his teammates, to this organization. And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back.

“The first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are,” Pelinka said.

In his eighth year with the Lakers, James put up 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 33.2 minutes per game, landing his 22nd consecutive All-Star nod.

"Of course any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster.”

Looking ahead, Pelinka said the Lakers will focus on adding pieces that fit alongside Luka Dončić, who led the NBA with 33.5 points per game but missed the postseason with a hamstring injury.

“The archetype of the roster that we want is going to be retrofitted around Luka and the things he needs," Pelinka said. “Clearly he's that leader and player for the future.”

The Lakers have an impending free agent situation with over half of their roster off contract 👀

🔶 LeBron James
🔶 Austin Reaves (Player option)
🔶 Rui Hachimura
🔶 Deandre Ayton (Player option)
🔶 Marcus Smart (Player option)
🔶 Luke Kennard
🔶 Jaxson Hayes
🔶 Maxi Kleber

GM… pic.twitter.com/yUsMMqOMv2

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 12, 2026

Austin Reaves broke out as a major scoring option this season, averaging a career-best 23.3 points per game, and he’s set to hit free agency. Pelinka said the Lakers want to bring him back.

“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said. “And we feel the same way.”