As the Lakers look to clinch a playoff spot tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, rumors are swirling over what the future holds for their pending free agents. While hardly anyone can predict what LeBron James will do this summer, the Lakers reportedly hope to bring back other core players who’ve been instrumental to their success this season.
Lakers Interested in Re-Signing 4 Key Players This Summer
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers want to re-sign Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura in free agency, keeping a group that’s propelled LA to a 49-26 record and a potential top-three finish in the West. The two added that the Lakers “will have close to $50 million in projected cap space this summer” if Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their respective player options, with James and Hachimura’s salaries coming off the books.
Regardless of what happens in this year’s postseason, the four standouts have ironclad cases to come back in free agency.
Austin Reaves
Widely considered the perfect backcourt partner for Luka Doncic, Reaves’ next contract with LA seems more like a “when, not if” at this point. Despite being sidelined with multiple calf strains this season, Reaves has continued to put up star-level numbers in his fifth year. In 49 games (43 starts), he has averaged 23.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals, all on 49% shooting from the field and 36% from deep. The fan-favorite who has desired to be a “Laker for life” may keep that dream alive this summer, when he’s eligible for a five-year max contract worth up to $241 million.
Reaves’ journey with the Lakers has come straight out of Hollywood, and it’s only right that LA renews it for another five seasons at least.
Luke Kennard
He’s only been a Laker for less than two months, and he already leads the team in made threes off the bench. Luke Kennard has ignited the Lakers’ offense since his arrival, and his 19-point outing against the Wizards on Monday further underscored his impact. In 25 games with LA, Kennard has averaged 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 49.1% from deep. After a history of acquiring shooters who couldn’t throw a pea in the ocean with the purple and gold, Kennard has broken that curse and become an integral member of the second unit.
Luke Kennard vs Wizards:
| 19 PTS 2 REB 1 AST 1 STL 7/10 FG 4/5 3PT 1/1 FT | pic.twitter.com/6dJwCmQB2C— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) March 31, 2026
Head coach JJ Redick praised Kennard’s consistent execution and effort in his postgame press conference Monday, highlighting his off-ball gravity and “terrific” decision-making in the process.
Between his shooting, passing and screening, Kennard’s versatility has been crucial for the Lakers, and they would no doubt welcome him back as a key cog in the wheel of their offense.
Jaxson Hayes
Regardless of whether he comes off the bench or enters the starting lineup, the Lakers know what they’re getting when Jaxson Hayes is on the floor: an Energizer Bunny of a center with elite athleticism and improved defense. Hayes’ 19 points on perfect 8-8 shooting was the latest in an impressive three-game stretch for him. After a somewhat inconsistent campaign from the seventh-year big man, it appears he’s turning up when the Lakers need him the most.
Jaxson Hayes vs Wizards:
20MIN-19PTS-7REB-2BLK-8/8FG-1/1 3PT-2/3FT-101.9TS% pic.twitter.com/MBdL3HqSRm— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) March 31, 2026
Though the Lakers’ center rotation could still change this summer—depending on whether or not they still view Ayton as the long-term solution—Hayes’ chemistry with the team and seamless fit in Redick’s system make him a prime candidate to return.
Rui Hachimura
McMenamin and Bontemps wrote that Hachimura could return to LA “if the price is right,” a reasonable expectation considering how his role shifted this season. The seventh-year forward enjoyed a starting role over the last couple of seasons. But due to a calf injury and inconsistent defense (among other factors), Redick benched him in early January, and the results have paid off.
In 25 games with the second unit since Jan. 13, Hachimura has averaged 8.6 points and 2.6 rebounds on 46% shooting from the field and 39.8% from three. Although the averages have dwindled from his days as a starter, he’s remained a relatively efficient scorer who doesn’t have to worry about being the fourth option. Hachimura may no longer be an $18 million-per-year player. But if he and the Lakers can agree on a more team-friendly deal, it wouldn’t hurt to have him back as an offensive spark off the bench.
© William Liang-Imagn Images
