Luka's involvement is a collaborative decision.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a big offseason ahead of them and looking at the impact players that were on the roster this past season, nearly all of them are up for free agency or at the very least have player options that that they can choose to decline.
The one bit of certainty looking ahead to next season is the position of star Luka Doncic. Doncic is under contract for at least the next two seasons and after his first full season with the Lakers he's made it clear that the superstar status he built in Dallas followed him to Los Angeles and he's primed to be the next face of the Lakers.
With the superstar status comes a certain urgency for the Lakers to win as soon as possible with him locked in on the roster and for a player of Doncic's caliber, it's natural to expect that his opinion is at least being considered when it comes to organizational decisions in the matter of personnel.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka shows off the NBA scoring champion trophy, along with the player of the month award give to guard Luka Doncic (77) prior to game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesLuka's Involvement
That's not to say that Doncic is calling all the shots, but he's at least going to be involved in discussions. That being said, those discussions won't be taking place until later down the line in the offseason.
“That’s an ongoing collaborative process. It’s not ‘hey, I want X,Y, and Z. We’re in constant communication with him and his team," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said (via Lakers). "I plan on seeing him before he takes off and goes home and spends time with his daughters. We’re going to get together on Friday or Saturday”
When it comes to the actual construction of the roster, the two biggest questions are what the futures of Doncic's fellow members of the Lakers Big Three, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, will be.
Who Will Stay With Lakers?
James is a free agent and his landing place is still up in the air at this point. Reaves is up for a nearly $15 million player option, but with the way he played this season, it's likely that he'll decline his option and look for a major payday in the free agent market.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) defends during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesRetaining those two players are the kind of decisions that Doncic will likely have input on and beyond that, there are a number of choices the Lakers can make through either free agent or trade targets.
Building a an elite roster around Doncic will be one of the Lakers' top priorities this season and there are a number of avenues to get there.