The Los Angeles Lakers are prioritizing cap flexibility over immediate extensions as they navigate the next two summers of potential big moves. Rui Hachimura, who has become a steady part of the starting lineup, is not expected to receive a contract extension in the near term. The organization wants to see how pieces fit and whether Hachimura remains a starter or shifts to a sixth-man role, all while keeping room to chase high-profile targets like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Deandre Ayton as free agency nears. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves is positioned for a significant pay raise, likely around $30 million per year, should he opt out. Hachimura posted 13.1 points in 31.7 minutes last season with efficient shooting, underscoring his value in a flexible roster plan. The tension between keeping books clean and maximizing on-court fit defines the Lakers’ approach this summer and next.

The Los Angeles Lakers push their ceiling higher with two offseason additions, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, sparking speculation about the 2025-26 starting five. Ayton replaces Jaxson Hayes in the frontcourt, while Smart’s role remains a hot topic as some believe he could crack the lineup alongside LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. A competing lineup floated by Lakers Daily has Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, James and Ayton starting, with Smart, LaRavia, Hayes, Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent anchoring the second unit. LaRavia’s shooting and defensive upside add depth to the bench, especially behind the projected starter core.

Hachimura is broadly seen as a stable starter, giving the Lakers reliable scoring and floor spacing; Ayton provides rim protection and interior scoring, potentially changing the offense’s rhythm. Smart’s fit hinges on defense and ball handling, with injuries a caveat but a high-impact, versatile bench-to-starter transition possible. LaRavia’s 3-point clip (around 42%) signals improved spacing, while Vincent brings shooting and pace off the bench. The dynamic between these pieces will shape fantasy values across the roster, especially for guards who share playmaking duties and big men who anchor the interior.

In fantasy terms, expect Reaves and Hachimura to remain strong multi-cat contributors if they hold starting spots, Ayton’s defensive presence to boost blocks and field goal efficiency, and Smart to contribute steals and assists when he’s in the lineup. LaRavia’s minutes could carve out a meaningful role if his shooting translates to the NBA level, while Hayes’ role could shrink with Ayton’s arrival. Vincent’s shooting impact off the bench will matter for streamers in deeper leagues.

Overall, the Lakers’ rotation depth appears richer, with multiple paths to strong fantasy production depending on how the starting five settles and how the second unit is deployed. The potential lineup permutations create intriguing crossovers for fantasy managers prioritizing defense-heavy guards, versatile wings, and high-usage big men. The course of the summer will determine how quickly these schemes take shape on opening night.

LeBron James heads into season 23 with no obvious drop-off at 40, fueling contract-year expectations and a championship-first mindset for the Lakers. A public off-season grind and a revealing workout clip keep fantasy managers eyeing his minutes and usage. Los Angeles responded by adding Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, pairing them with confident core pieces like Austin Reaves and, intriguingly, Luka Doncic, who reportedly extended with the team. The Lakers draw a marquee test in opening night against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, a game that will frame early-season fantasy projections.

The move to import Ayton and Smart gives LA more balance—Ayton anchors the paint and screens while Smart supplies defensive steals, playmaking, and reliable numbers across categories. Doncic’s ongoing commitment with the squad suggests heavy ball-handling duty and playmaking, while Reaves looks to seize a larger slice of opportunity as a secondary creator. Curry’s presence on the opposite sideline keeps Warriors’ scoring volatility in mind for fantasy lineups, especially with LA’s upgraded depth. In short, the LeBron-era Lakers are built to push for elite fantasy outputs across positions, with upside and risk tightly intertwined as the season opens.

Fantasy takeaway: LeBron remains a cornerstone asset, but Ayton and Smart quietly lift the Lakers’ ceiling in multiple categories. Doncic’s fit in this revamped lineup could drive big assist and scoring nights, while Reaves offers a strong late-round floor with room to rise. Curry remains a non-negotiable volume scorer in dynasty formats, and the opener sets a high bar for both teams’ early-season trajectories. Expect high-paced, multi-cat relevance from collision-point games like Lakers vs. Warriors to define early-season value.

LAKERS OPEN 2025-26 with a frontcourt pivot and a defensive maestro, as Deandre Ayton slides into the starting 5 and Marcus Smart blends playmaking with lockdown perimeter work. Jaxson Hayes shifts into a complementary role to stabilize the interior, and the new mix is designed to tame rebounding gaps that haunted LA in the playoffs.

Their opening week features a marquee home clash with Stephen Curry and the Warriors to kick off the schedule, followed by a Northern California trip to face the Kings, then a nationally televised date against Minnesota on Prime Video. The Timberwolves’ postseason win over LA highlighted the need for improved interior defense and rebound control, both of which Ayton and Smart are expected to bolster right away.

Fantasy managers should note Ayton’s center deployment could lift rebounding numbers and provide steadier production in FG% and demand on the glass, while Smart’s two-way impact may boost defensive stats and rotate solid scoring around LA’s core. LeBron James remains the constant engine, but the supporting cast now has clearer pathways to reliable fantasy value in the opening stretch.

National exposure on the Timberwolves game adds another layer of late-week fantasy relevance, with Edwards’ ceiling as a budding star elevated by the surrounding talent. For LA, the schedule tests the rotation early, and the improved interior presence can create favorable mismatch scenarios for shooters and cutters across the lineup.