James has no idea of ​​fighting for a long time, Smith decides to influence the future of the Lakers

Lakers' basketball operations president and general manager Robert Pelinka predicted that this summer will be very active after being eliminated by the Timberwolves. But so far, the Lakers have not made much moves, and the assets they use to improve the team this summer are really limited.

Sources told ESPN that the Lakers are expected to have only $5.7 million in the free agent market with the $52.6 million option worth of his contract in the last year.

In the trading market, Dalton Knecott and the Lakers' 2031 first-round pick will continue to be an active asset that the Lakers can include in the offer, as well as expiration contracts for Hachimura ($18.3 million), Vincent ($11.5 million) and Kleber ($11 million) and Pelinka is looking for a center.

When asked about the team's core after the end of the season, Pelinka said Reeves would not be traded. “Confidence in Reeves, James and Doncic remains at an all-time high,” Pelinka said. "I think there is incredible potential for these three guys to play together. We will work together to make sure they have the right players around them for ultimate success." Rumors have spread this week, linking the Lakers' trade negotiations with the Utah Jazz about center Kessler and the trade with the Miami Heat about winger Wiggins, sources told ESPN that neither deals have been made to a close point of reach.

Sources told ESPN that Kessler was one of the centers the Lakers asked about before the Williams trade last season, but the Jazz's multiple first-round picks were too expensive. Apart from his age matching Doncic's schedule, Kessler's contract next season is only $4.9 million, allowing the Lakers to pursue other free agents while retaining his bird rights to be able to extend his contract.

Sources told ESPN that the Lakers called the Atlanta Hawks to ask Okonwu last season. Other contracts considered by the Lakers have included Brooklyn's Clarkston and Trail Blazers' Rowe, sources told ESPN. Other free agent big men who might target include Capela, Horford and Lopez.

core lineup, James is considering retirement every offseason, but a source familiar with James's ideas told ESPN that at this point, James is not sure that this will be his last season as he enters next season. On the other hand, he rejected the Lakers' 4-year, $89.2 million offer this week, which sources said is not surprising. In the summer of 2026, he is eligible to sign a four-year, $98 million contract extension, or he can choose to jump out of the last year of his contract, become an unrestricted free agent, and be eligible for a maximum salary of 25% of the 2026-27 salary cap.

Sources said that the Lakers made a offer and understood that Reeves would refuse, but the team still wanted to express interest in him and did not want to send out wrong signals because they did not offer. Sources told ESPN that both parties have the motivation to complete a contract renewal next summer.

forward Finney Smith had surgery on his left ankle after the season, and he had the option of jumping out of his last year of contract by Sunday, with a $15.4 million player option next season.

Fenney Smith's decision could have a significant impact on the options available to the Lakers. If he leaves, the Lakers give up three second-round picks for half a season of loan after getting Smith from the Brooklyn Nets trade. They will also lose a popular locker room character and a player Reddick has totally trusted.

But his departure will allow Los Angeles to use a full-time middle class exception worth $14.1 million, which could be split to pursue multiple free agents seeking premium contracts above the veteran's base salary.

"We will search every stone, no matter what resources the labor agreement gives us, we will use it to the maximum," Pelinka said. "We won't rest until we get it done."