Fantasy Basketball Exit Interview: The LeBron question looms large for Lakers Dan TitusWed, May 13, 2026 at 4:08 PM UTC 0 The Los Angeles Lakers, without Luka Dončić, sent the Rockets home in six games, only to run into an Oklahoma City Thunder squad primed to repeat as champions. The Lakers fought as best they could, but ultimately exited the second round in a fourgame sweep. Fantasywise, the Lakers’ big three carried the load, but some tough decisions are looming ahead of next year. Here’s what we learned from the Lakers and what to consider going forward.
Fantasy Basketball Exit Interview: The LeBron question looms large for Lakers
Dan TitusWed, May 13, 2026 at 4:08 PM UTC
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The Los Angeles Lakers, without Luka Dončić, sent the Rockets home in six games, only to run into an Oklahoma City Thunder squad primed to repeat as champions. The Lakers fought as best they could, but ultimately exited the second round in a four-game sweep. Fantasy-wise, the Lakers’ big three carried the load, but some tough decisions are looming ahead of next year.
Here’s what we learned from the Lakers and what to consider going forward.
The main fantasy assets
Luka Dončić put together a monster season — leading the league in scoring with 33.5 ppg while also finishing the regular season second overall in High Score and sixth in 9-cat leagues. He’ll continue to be one of the best contributors from the guard spot in terms of points, rebounds and assists.
Heading into next year, Dončić remains one of the safest first-round investments in fantasy basketball regardless of what this roster looks like around him.
Austin Reaves had his coming-out party this season, outperforming his 47th overall ADP. The soon-to-be-free agent finished 30th in High Score, averaging 43.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) and 32nd in 9-cat leagues. Reaves was limited to 51 games after dealing with ankle, calf and late-season oblique injuries, but he still posted career-bests in points, rebounds and steals, while maintaining his efficiency on increased volume.
The breakout is real, and now we’ll have to see how much the Lakers are willing to pay to retain his services. Lock him in as a third-to-fourth-round fantasy draft pick.
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Then there’s Deandre Ayton. A disappointment yet again.
Playing 70 games was the highlight, as his production tapered off for the fourth straight season. He failed to average a double-double for the first time in his career (he averaged 12.5 ppg with 8 rebounds), while playing the fewest minutes per night (27.2). He was very efficient from the field, but it was on low volume, and most nights he was benched for his inconsistent effort on defense and on the glass. Ayton will likely opt out of his $8M contract and test free agency. There’s enough tape on him to know who he is — a declining player who carried a 67th overall ADP but finished outside the top-110 in both High Score and 9-cat.
Was this LeBron's final act?
LeBron James looms over everything as always. On the floor, he still delivered for fantasy managers. His value took a hit relative to his ADP in 9-cat, as he was drafted 27th overall and finished the year as the 52nd-best player. In High Score, though, James was better, ranking 20th, averaging 46.8 FPPG. James’ numbers were solid, but there was a considerable drop off in scoring to 20.9 ppg, the lowest of his career. Some of that was because he took fewer shots playing alongside Luka and Reaves.
Now to the important stuff. The King turns 42 in December and his contract situation heading into the offseason will be the biggest storyline of the offseason. He could re-sign with the Lakers, go elsewhere or retire. If Bron returns, I’d pencil him as a fifth-rounder, but the destination and personnel surrounding him matter. A fifth-round grade assumes we’ll get the 2025-26 version of LeBron, who was more of a playmaker and less of a scorer.
Final thoughts
Does LeBron re-sign? That's the only question that matters in Los Angeles this offseason. If he's back, the Lakers run it back with Luka as the unquestioned engine. If he walks, this becomes Luka's team in full, which frankly isn't the worst outcome for fantasy purposes. Either way, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are locked in as the top fantasy options on this roster across all formats. Build around them and fill in the gaps once the offseason smoke clears.
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: May 13, 2026 at 12:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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