NBA free agency is set to commence at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and the Los Angeles Lakers are a team to keep an eye on. The Lakers are expected to be extremely busy as they attempt to build a title-contending roster, and here’s a look at the latest rumors regarding the Purple and Gold as we inch closer to free agency.
Walker Kessler
It appears the Lakers have secured a meeting with one of their long-term targets. NBA insider Jake Fischer reports they are believed to be one of the three teams Walker Kessler will meet.
“Utah restricted free agent center Walker Kessler has meetings lined up with three teams Tuesday night after 6 PM ET at the Los Angeles offices of his CAA representatives. The Lakers, of course, are strongly believed to be one of those three teams given their considerable interest in trying to swipe Kessler from the Jazz.”
The Lakers have been linked to Kessler for years now. They reportedly made multiple trade offers in the past, but couldn’t meet the Utah Jazz’s high asking price.
The Lakers could now get Kessler without giving up anything, but he is a restricted free agent. The Jazz can match any offer that’s put on the table. They are said to have offered Kessler a five-year, $140 million deal, but he wants even more. Is the 24-year-old worth more?
Well, Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Jazz in 2025-26. He only managed to play five games before suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but he did impress.
Notably, Kessler showed off his newfound range, as he went 6-8 (75.0%) from three in those five outings. We all knew he was a great defender, rebounder, and rim-runner, but the fact that he could now shoot from the outside as well made him an even more attractive commodity. Kessler would be the dream acquisition for the Lakers, but it won’t be easy to steal him from the Jazz.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that Sandro Mamukelashvili is declining his $2.8 million player option for 2026-27 with the Toronto Raptors. Mamukelashvili is hitting free agency, and The Athletic’s Dan Woike revealed the Lakers have been linked to him.
“But people around the NBA, tasked with trying to make sense of the evolving free-agency landscape, started to link the Lakers to a wide range of players throughout Monday. One name has come up from multiple league sources: Toronto forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili.”
Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Raptors in 2025-26. He was always going to opt out of that player option, and Fischer shared the expected price tag and confirmed the Lakers’ interest.
“Sources say Mamukelashvili is likely to generate multiple offers north of $10 million in average annual value after declining a paltry player option in Toronto worth less than $3 million. And we’re told that the Lakers, who have obviously been connected to various big men, have emerged as a notable Mamu suitor.”
Now, what is interesting here is that Mamukelashvili is very much a backup option at center and power forward. Not long after news broke about him hitting free agency, Charania reported that Deandre Ayton is opting into his $8.1 million player option for 2026-27. If Mamukelashvili does become a Laker, they might ship Ayton out of town.
Gary Trent Jr.
Like Mamukelashvili, Gary Trent Jr. is another who has chosen to hit free agency. The Athletic’s Eric Nehm reported Trent didn’t opt into his $3.9 million player option for 2026-27 with the Milwaukee Bucks. You’d expect a shooter like him to be on the radar of a lot of teams, and NBA insider Chris Haynes reported the Lakers are showing interest in him.
Trent averaged 8.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 steals per game for the Bucks in 2025-26. He only shot 36.0% from three, but the team was a complete mess last season. You’d imagine he’d do much better in a more stable environment next to the likes of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Defense would be a concern, but he’d be a spark plug off the bench, not a starter.
Dean Wade
Speaking of defense, Dean Wade is hitting free agency, and ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports the Lakers are one of the teams interested in his services.
“Several teams are lining up to pursue Cleveland Cavaliers free agent forward Dean Wade, who could realistically create a bidding war and receive the full MLE, sources said.
“The Pistons, Spurs, Lakers, Nets, and 76ers are among the handful of teams with interest in Wade.”
Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2025-26. A 3-and-D forward like him will always be in demand, so it won’t be easy for the Lakers to bring him in.
