The Los Angeles Lakers have come a long way in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. After a catastrophic start to the season and mixed results for several months, the Californians have completely revived thanks to the trade deadline.
With the arrivals of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura or Jarred Vanderbilt, this team finished the regular season as a cannonball. By hanging the Play-In then the Playoffs, LeBron James and his partners then made a nice run.
With qualifications against the Memphis Grizzlies (4-2) and the Golden State Warriors (4-2). Before coming up against the future NBA champion, the Denver Nuggets. A sweep (0-4) in the Western Conference Finals that put an end to the hopes of the Angelenos.
And now, it is already time to project on the continuation for Los Angeles. On the sidelines of the presentation of the rookies, the boss of the Lakers Rob Pelinka quickly turned to the Free Agency. With a clear message: keep the hard core.
Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, the priorities!
Before talking about the needs of this team, a little update on the current situation. For the Lakers, the plan remains much the same as in previous years: build around the duo LBJ – Anthony Davis. With both stars (in good health), the Lakers feel like they can compete at the highest level.
Both men are obviously under contract with the Lakers for 2023-2024. And even if the King has cast doubt on a possible retirement, his presence on the courts on this exercise is beyond doubt. Besides AD and LBJ, four other players are currently linked to LA: Max Christie, Vanderbilt, whose option was activated, and the two rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino et Maxwell Lewis.
For everyone else, there are still decisions to be made!
Unsurprisingly, the Lakers decided to activate the “qualifying offers” pour Austin Reaves et Rui Hachimura. The two men embody the main priorities of the summer for Pelinka. And the latter did not hide it from the media.
“We want to do our best to keep this core group of guys together and improve at the margins to not only get back to where we were last year but also hopefully take the next step and get to the Finals. NBA.
We have one goal: to add the 18th banner. This is our goal. At the end of the next two days, we will do everything in our power to maximize this opportunity.”
On these two files, Los Angeles has control and can match all external offers. For Reaves, the Angelenos have already set the tone: they will match ALL OFFERS to keep it. No matter the amount. It doesn’t matter if other teams, like the Houston Rockets, offer him a gold bridge.
The latest rumors point to a 4-year, $100 million lease. Of course, with the excellent relationship between the two parties, Reaves is not obliged to accept another proposal to force the hand of the Lakers. Best case scenario for LA? A compromise between the two camps for a win-win deal.
Regarding Hachimura, he also showed his desire to return. But he also intends to take advantage of his return to a good level after complicated years in Washington to collect a nice check. Unlike Reaves, the Lakers probably have a limit in mind for the Japanese.
But during the Playoffs, the 25-year-old talent scored points. We also know that James, whose opinion counts enormously, appreciates it. Retaining it therefore seems essential and Los Angeles risks making the effort. For an annual salary estimated between 10 and 14 million dollars? The Lakers are likely to darken.
Lakers bet on continuity despite an FA that promises to be restless
The Very Delicate Case: D’Angelo Russell
For Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers have therefore already decided. But what about D’Angelo Russell ? Too irregular in the Playoffs, the playmaker seriously lowered his rating. Especially against the Nuggets with immense difficulties in managing the swelling.
An unprotected free agent, the Louisville native has the opportunity to set sail. Without allowing Californians to receive any compensation. It would be a real failure for Los Angeles, which invested to recover it from the Minnesota Timberwolves last February.
According to information from The Athletic journalist Jovan Buha, the idea would be, in the immediate future, to keep it. On the other hand, there is no question of giving him an XXL contract in the long term. At a price “correct”estimated between 18 and 20 million dollars per year, over just two years.
Thus, the Lakers protect themselves with a short deal, likely to integrate a future trade. And for his part, Russell takes advantage of this opportunity to restore his image. Because in the current market, its value does not seem very high.
Other solution ? A sign-and-trade. But precisely, who will want to help the Lakers and recover the ex-player of the Warriors? There have been rumors with Fred VanVleet et Kyrie Irving. Internally, the Lakers are probably dreaming of such an opportunity.
But FVV seems rather on the departure of the Toronto Raptors to hit the jackpot at the Houston Rockets. And the Dallas Mavericks made it clear they didn’t want to let Irving go. Even less for Russell.
Stuck, Los Angeles therefore seems well on its way to retaining it. Even if it means integrating it later into a trade. Publicly, they will still be able to say they believe in him after his impact on the end of the regular season. And put under the rug its limits in the Playoffs …
D’Angelo Russell used by the Lakers in a sign-and-trade?
Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley, opportunities?
In the immediate future, before the opening of the market, Pelinka will have to take final decisions to I am Bamba et Malik Beasley. The first has an unsecured $10.3 million contract. And the second of a team option at $16.5 million.
In both cases, they have embodied disappointments since their arrivals last February. Too often injured, the interior has brought nothing. Due to a shooting success “random”the full-back has gradually lost its place in the coach’s rotation Darwin Ham. To the point of disappearing from the radars in the Playoffs.
As much to say it right away, the Lakers should not retain the two men. In any case, not at such a price. On the other hand, they can guarantee Bamba’s contract and activate Beasley’s option… to set up a trade!
We have seen it in recent days, several teams are ready to sell off certain players with big contracts to anticipate the next CBA. With Bamba and Beasley, we are talking about potentially two short contracts for an amount of 26.8 million dollars.
Of course, you still have to find a good opportunity. On the sidelines of the NBA Draft, the Angelenos have not unearthed the slightest interesting opportunity. And time is running out with a decision to be made in the next 48 hours.
In any case, without an exchange, the Lakers risk letting Bamba and Beasley slip away immediately. With why not the idea of taking them back, at a reduced cost, afterwards.
LeBron James, the Lakers act as if nothing had happened…
Needs ? Management, shooting and size
And now, the huge construction site! Because there is therefore a group to (re)build. With Pelinka’s comments, the Lakers seem inclined to retain several members of last year’s rotation. The changes will therefore be marginal.
For example, one can imagine that the Californians have the idea of discussing with Dennis Schröder and Lonnie Walker IV. Without popping the screen, they rendered services. The German has a profile appreciated by Ham. And the ex-San Antonio Spurs player had some highlights in the Playoffs.
At point guard, the Lakers may be looking for a manager. Once again, Russell, in this area, has shown his limits. And given that he seems set to stay, a recruit with this profile seems essential.
To strengthen themselves (in addition to the minimum wage), the Angelenos have two potential assets: the Mid-level exception to $12 million (which can be distributed to multiple players) and the Bi-annual exception estimated at $4.5 million.
For the time being, the market seems relatively small in this position. For a long time, Gabe Vincent was mentioned as a target. But after the recent playoffs with the Miami Heat, he no longer represents a financially credible track.
A player like Jevon Carter has some interesting features. At the Milwaukee Bucks, he displayed great qualities. A good defender, he could fit into the Californian philosophy. And without the ball, it was interesting to punish opposing defenses from long range (42.1%).
But is he really a pure leader? He remains solid in the management of the ball (1 turnover per game), but does not completely correspond to the target profile. In the meantime, he therefore responds to a second need of the Lakers: outside shooting!
Kyle Kuzma puts a small tackle on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers
At an affordable price, Troy Brown Jr has a good chance of staying in California to bring in this area. But we will have to recruit. On the market, there are interesting options: Seth Curry, Josh Richardson or Donte DiVincenzo.
After his magnificent copies with the Denver Nuggets, Bruce Brown represents an unattainable dream. But for the Lakers, he would be the perfect shot. To be more realistic, Richardson, in a role a la Kentavious Caldwell-Popeseems a credible option for 5 to 8 million dollars per year.
Finally, the Lakers have a real need inside. The confrontation against Nikola Jokic showed major shortcomings. Unlike the 2020 bubble, the Angelenos no longer had the bodies of Dwight Howard et JaVale McGee pour “to curb” the Serbian. And there is a clear lack in this profile.
The dream ? Brook Lopez ! For Los Angeles, a return from the pivot would be a HUGE blow. Problem, the Milwaukee Bucks have no intention of letting him go. And the Wisconsin franchise may offer him a higher salary.
For long weeks, the Lakers have targeted Naz Reid. The idea was excellent. The fit was obvious. But the Minnesota Timberwolves felt the blow with a $42 million extension. As a result, two names could seduce: Jakob Poeltl et Mason Plumlee.
Financially, Plumlee seems the most affordable. Everything will depend on the priority given by the Lakers in the distribution of the budget among the needs mentioned. Make come back Dear Gabriel for almost nothing also embodies a solution if some tracks fail.
In summary, the Lakers will bet on continuity. Changes will happen, but they will be at the margins. With targeted reinforcements according to specific needs. The direction chosen by Pelinka remains clear: surf on the momentum initiated since February. Without necessarily making big moves despite crazy competition in the West.
“I think if there are ways to improve the squad, of course we’re going to do that. It’s probably going to be less focused on, ‘Hey, what’s Team X or Team Y doing?’ more on ‘How can we optimize ours?’
The teams will be aggressive. There is a similar level in the league at the moment, and everyone feels an opportunity to go for the title, but we will try to do our best to stay in the pack or at the top of this pack.” he hammered.
Los Angeles therefore has an interesting roadmap to follow. But be careful with the Lakers, the plans can quickly switch to madness at the slightest opportunity…
2023-06-28 10:13:00
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