The Lakers always make some big headlines in the offseason and this summer will be no different.
They’ve already been in the news since the end of their regular season, firing Darvin Ham after just two seasons as their head coach. J.J. Redick and James Borrego are reportedly viewed as the frontrunners for the job.
What they do with their roster is more important to their legions of fans. A lot hinges on LeBron James‘ decision whether to exercise his player option or become a free agent. While it’s generally believed that James will stay put, either by opting in or by signing a new deal with Los Angeles, there’s no certainty until he commits contractually. If he’s open to going elsewhere, a team like the Sixers — with tons of cap room to work with — would love to add him to their star duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The other major question mark regarding free agency is starting guard D’Angelo Russell, who has an $18.7MM player option. If Russell decides to go on the market, the Lakers will have to decide whether to pursue another contract with him or fill the hole in their lineup in another manner.
The Lakers will have more flexibility than in recent years regarding trading draft picks and making pick swaps. They control their own pick at No. 17 after the Pelicans deferred a trade obligation until next year’s draft. They also have two other future first-round picks to dangle after the free agency period begins in July.
In terms of tradeable salaries, the Lakers have four players besides their two superstars making at least $10MM next season — Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. Reaves would be the most coveted of that group but the Lakers have been reluctant to part with the young guard. Vincent and Vanderbilt are coming off injury-marred seasons, leaving Hachimura ($17MM) as the most likely player to be dealt. However, the market for Hachimura would probably be lukewarm at best.
That leads us to our topic of the day: Assuming that LeBron remains with the team, what moves should the Lakers make this offseason to upgrade their team? Should they look to re-sign Russell if he opts out? Should they be more open to trading Reaves if they could get an All-Star level talent in return?
Let us know in the comments section. We look forward to your input.
I expect the Lakers to win the championship next season
Targeting KCP, Caruso and Fininie Smith
Top 4 Aggressive on trade market
Lakers
Hawks
Cavs
Rockets
Rich Paul may be able to acquire Garland for the Lakers
Starters
Murray
Garland
Finney Smith
bad bot
Just include Lebron and AD. Lakers should trade for young players and rebuild. Old guys don’t work anymore.
The “old guys” were the only consistent players on that roster. What a weird take.
Possibly Heat may be aggressive if they decide to move Butler….and reset?
Is the in season tournament a championship?
Keep dreaming.
The Lakers could have just kept those players a few years ago lol
The Russell situation is so unique, the Lakers are hoping he opts in just so they can include his salary in a trade and he knows this. Have to assume he opts out, someone will give him more guaranteed money. He puts up numbers and can help take a team from the lottery to the playoffs, but not the type of role player who helps contenders.
Russell has been traded 4 times
Lakers – Nets – Warriors – Wolves – Back to Lakers
My predictions
New 4 more times
Lakers love trade trade trade trade
Russell will be Back to lakers again in 2028
Streaky scorer that cant play D and tends to go colder more frequently against better competition.
I could see Orlando making him an offer.
Imagine not signing Christian wood and winning
could possibly trade ideas:
1: Vanderbilt to the Grizzlies, Aldama and Konchar to the Lakers.
2: 17 pick to the Grizzlies, 39 pick and future seconds in 25, 26, & 27 to the Lakers.
TRADE
Rui
Vincent
Wood
2024 #1
2029 #1
for
Cam Johnson
Day’Ron Sharpe
SIGN w/MLE
Kris Dunn 3 yrs $12M
Goga Bitadze 2 yrs $6M
Gary Harris 2 yrs 10M
SIGN MIN.
Dennis Smith
Draft Bronny or Tristen Newton with 2nd rd pick
That would be a terrible trade for the Lakers. If you are going all in with your assets, it can’t be for a guy like Cam Johnson. He’s a better shooter than Rui, but Rui is a better all around player. He’s their best perimeter defender. You would have to get rid of that 2029 #1 pick for it to be closer to fair. If they are giving up Rui and the 2029 #1, it would have to be for a difference-making guard like Dejounte Murray, not a secondary scorer like Johnson. And the Lakers also will not have access to the full-MLE, only the taxpayer portion.
Hahaha LOL, Lakers stink. Resign bron, hire JJ, draft Bronny and sign James Harden please……enjoy.
Durrrrrrrrrrrrr
All in for the back to back, randomly drawn, pro laker officiated in season tournament next season pal? Your goats legacy, in season tournament finals mvp trophy named in his honour. How fitting that will be. That right there what him the goat.
Rui, JHS, this years 2nd and a future 2nd for Grant Williams and Nick Richards
Reaves and Vando for Anfernee Simons
Dlo and Reddish walk in FA but Prince resigns on a cheap 1/2 year deal.
You also get DeAnthony Melton, Gordan Hayward,
Draft Tyler Smith at 17 and Bronny at 55
Melton Simons LBJ Williams AD
Vincent Christie Hayward Prince Richards
Bronny Lewis Smith Wood
This would be how I’d do it for the lakers.
Although it would be sad to see Reaves go, I think Simons would be fantastic playing off LBJ and AD. He’s quick, athletic, and hungry. He’s always looking to score and is an elite shooter. Melton would be the perfect backcourt partner aswell. Tidy defender, happy at either guard spot, not really an on ball guy just happy to just take catch and shoot 3’s.
Grant Williams over Rui, think he’s a lot more consistent as a shooter, think he’s more locked in mentality and he’s also got that hunger and fight in him. Just the perfect plug and play forward with LeBron.
Off the bench Christie stays hopefully, Hayward provides impact and depth for LeBron. While Richards is a little steal back up big man that’ll give energy aswell.
Then if you need perimeter defence you’ve got Bronny, if you need a stretch big you’ve got Wood and in the long term you develop Smith as your 4
Do whatever they can to trade Dlo…
Does anyone truly believe LeBron won’t be back with the Lakers? I mean, seriously?
I could see him back in Cleveland if they moved some pieces around.
Bron for Mitchell, best laker outcome.
Include AD and get Mobley in the trade
If he opts-in he gets traded. If he opts out, the Lakers hope they can S&T him. They don’t have cap space to replace him.
Nobodies going to do S&T anymore, your hard capped at the first apron starting next year , especially for a player of Dlos ilk/return –
You might find a rebuilding team do one but not a contending team as nobodies going to want to be hard capped at 178.5 mill today for the season
Another terrible side affect of the new Cba that sets in next year
Lakers need a D Lo contract. Regardless of keeping him or moving him. He needs to be an asset for them.
Sure, D-lo should help L.A for the greater good of the lakers franchise. Except less money for less years, please trade me again.
The same D lo who was getting westbrooked by laker nation internally and externally? Another option is going somewhere you’re wanted and want to be on a better contract without having to deal with the circus in L.A.
If Orl Sas bow out I see a likely opt in
He’ll have all the info he needs (or lack thereof) by the 29th. Id just radio silence him if Lakers FO until then, there’s zero reason to play an aggressive hand, its completely outta their hands
Ideally I think we stay intact and look for a new PG letting DLo go. Need a 3pt shooting defensive minded wing player. Hopefully they draft well to get a bit younger. I know it’s the Laker way to trade picks away but I think we are seeing the ramifications of that now.
C’mon LeBron pick a coach already!