Lakers’ 3 best free agent targets to build roster around Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have Luka Doncic on the floor during their playoff elimination against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Slovenian superstar suffered a late-season hamstring injury that really derailed Los Angeles’ season. The six-time All-Star whom the Lakers acquired in arguably the biggest fleece in NBA history certainly is the future of the team, though.

LeBron James may opt to leave the team this offseason. Even if the future Hall of Famer and impending free agent sticks around for another year, the Lakers need to prioritize building the roster around Doncic. The Lakers are still arguably the most desirable franchise for free agents to sign with, so who should Los Angeles pursue on the open market this offseason?

3. Jaylen Clark, SF, RFA

The Lakers have plenty of offense, regardless of whether James does or doesn’t return. Doncic led the NBA with 33.5 points per game, and the team as a whole was top three in field goal percentage (50.2%) and free throws per game (20.4). On top of Doncic, Austin Reaves scored 23.3 points per game in his own right, and both players have the gravity to get their teammates open looks.

Defense will always be a big question mark going forward for a team led by Doncic and Reaves, though. The backcourt players are far from stoppers, so the Lakers need elite point of attack defenders who can take on tough defensive assignments. Enter Jaylen Clark, a limited offensive player but one who always gives his all on the less glamorous end of the court.

Clark’s offensive limitations have limited him to just 13.1 minutes per game over each of the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. When he is on the court, though, he racks up steals, protects the rim, and prevents opposing offensive players from getting up clean looks. His lack of offense wouldn’t be as detrimental in Los Angeles, either. Clark is a restricted free agent, so the Timberwolves could match any contract that Los Angeles offers to him, but Minnesota may be willing to let him go because he didn’t take a step forward with the team this past season.

2. Peyton Watson, SF, RFA

Peyton Watson seems primed to be one of the most highly paid free agents this offseason. If the Lakers can afford him, he’d be a great target to pursue. The 2025-26 season was a breakout one for Watson. He continued to provide help-side rim protection and elite point-of-attack defense, but he really emerged as an offensive threat, too.

The forward who averaged just 3.3 points per game at UCLA averaged 14.6 this season for the Denver Nuggets. He was regularly above 20 points per game during a stretch where Nikola Jokic was sidelined, too, proving Watson can take on a bigger offensive role going forward for whichever team he suits up for.

While somewhat funky looking, Watson’s jump shot is reliable. He made 41.1% of his 3-pointers this season. He is also an energizer on defense. If there is a somewhat unheralded player to take a leap of faith on this offseason, it is the emerging forward of the Nuggets. Watson’s fit would be particularly clean if James does end up leaving the Lakers.

1. Mitchell Robinson, C, UFA

Clark and Watson are both wings, and the Lakers do need more depth at that position. The more pressing need in Los Angeles is center help, though. The team was desperate to add to the position last offseason, which led to the signing of Deandre Ayton. The former number overall overall pick had a rollercoaster of an experience in his first year with the Lakers.

Ayton struggled with defense, toughness, and accepting his role. He was called out by head coach JJ Redick on numerous occasions, and Ayton often verbalized his own frustrations. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Ayton opted out of his player option for next season. The other centers on the team, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, are also set to hit the open market. Regardless of their impending free agents, the Lakers need a center who better fits their roster, and Mitchell Robinson is the player they should target.

The New York Knicks player has served as a backup to Karl-Anthony Towns in recent years, but he is more than capable as a starter. Robinson is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in basketball. Plus, Robinson’s ability to finish alley-oops is superior to Ayton’s, which is something that a Doncic-led offense needs. Robinson should be the Lakers’ top free agent priority.

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