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Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka during the end of season press conference in May 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with the fallout from a crushing second-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Attention has quickly turned toward what could become a pivotal offseason for the franchise, with the futures of several players now uncertain.

LeBron James’ future remains unclear, while Austin Reaves is also expected to enter unrestricted free agency this summer.

The center position has become another major talking point following the inconsistent campaign of former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, with Los Angeles widely expected to explore frontcourt upgrades.

Lakers Urged to Move on From Deandre Ayton

Although the Lakers are reportedly interested in bringing back backup center Jaxson Hayes, Ayton’s long-term future with the franchise has remained uncertain throughout much of the season.

The 27-year-old holds an $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season and largely controls his own situation moving forward.

Even if Ayton ultimately opts in, ClutchPoints’ Enzo Flojo believes the Lakers should still move on from the veteran center.

“The Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton hoping he would become the physical anchor this roster desperately needed,” Flojo wrote. “Instead, he became one of the biggest disappointments of the postseason.”

“Against Oklahoma City, Ayton looked disconnected. While the Thunder attacked the paint relentlessly, Ayton too often floated through possessions without imposing any consistent physical presence.”

Flojo also criticized Ayton’s work rate, arguing that both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein “consistently outworked him.”

He added that “Ayton’s offensive tendencies clash awkwardly with Luka’s strengths,” while suggesting the center does not embrace the “dirty work” required alongside a superstar playmaker.

Across 10 playoff appearances, Ayton averaged 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and just under one block per game while shooting 54.8% from the field. He also posted a minus-3.4 plus-minus rating during his time on the court.

According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, both Ayton and Marcus Smart could potentially decline their player options this summer in hopes of securing larger contracts on the open market.

LA Could Evaluate Center Options in Free Agency

Bleacher Report salary cap analyst Eric Pincus recently pointed out that several younger center options expected to be available this offseason, including Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, and Mark Williams, will enter restricted free agency.

That situation could force interested teams into inflated offer sheets that may become difficult to justify financially.

While other veteran options could emerge on the unrestricted market, Pincus believes the Lakers should stay away from experienced centers such as Nikola Vucevic and Kristaps Porzingis altogether.

Instead, Pincus identified Hartenstein as a potentially stronger fit in Los Angeles, although his team option with Oklahoma City could complicate any pursuit.

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has also emerged as another possible unrestricted free agent target without the same contractual hurdles.

“Looking ahead, the Lakers do not need a finesse center,” Flojo added. “They need unstoppable force. Moving Ayton would allow Los Angeles to pursue a more mobile, defensively committed frontcourt partner.”

“They can acquire someone capable of protecting the rim, rebounding consistently, and embracing physical playoff basketball.”

At the same time, Pincus suggested the Lakers could ultimately decide to retain Ayton while continuing to pair him alongside Hayes in the frontcourt rotation.

That route would allow Los Angeles to preserve greater financial flexibility for perimeter upgrades and, according to Pincus, “may be the more natural solution for the Lakers.”