The Los Angeles Lakers may have lost in the second round of the NBA playoffs this past season, but given their injury issues in the playoffs, the year was viewed as rather successful. 

The Lakers looked like a threat in the Western Conference up until April when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered injuries that sidelined them through the end of the regular season. 

Reaves was able to return at the end of the first round against the Houston Rockets, but Doncic missed the entire playoff run. 

With Luka out, the Lakers got contributions from the likes of Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who both stepped up while the squad was shorthanded. 

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers are looking to retain both players coming into the offseason. 

Kennard is an unrestricted free agent, while Smart has a player option that would pay him $5.3 million. 

A source told ESPN that Smart is hoping for a new contract and a raise, while Kennard is interested in making Los Angeles his long-term home. 

The Lakers signed Smart in the 2025 offseason, looking to fill a hole on their defense with a strong point of attack defender and add a secondary playmaker and floor spacers next to Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James. 

They acquired Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks at the 2026 trade deadline in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a future second round pick, adding to their floor spacing and scoring off the bench. 

Smart was an excellent addition for the Lakers, playing in 62 games and averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and three assists. He had a +8.2 net rating. 

Even more impressive was his fit next to Doncic and Reaves. Doncic and Smart had a +8.8 net rating when they were on the floor together. When Reaves was with him, the trio had a +23.5 net rating. 

Smart proved to be the perfect partner next to the two long-term stars on the Lakers, cleaning up any defense mistakes, creating when they were off the ball, and knocking down shots when they were forced to give the ball up. 

Kennard didn't spend as much time on the floor with Reaves and Doncic, but that trio had a +6.9 net rating. 

When Kennard joined the team after the trade deadline, they went 22-10 and he provided depth scoring off the bench that they had missed for the majority of the season. 

Given their role and fit on the team, both would be welcome returns for the Lakers.