Image via Getty/Wally Skalij
From the significant roster turnover midseason to the polar opposite stretches of performance, the Los Angeles Lakers 2022-23 season has felt like two seasons in one. Factor in the alternating injuries between LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the it’s felt like three seasons instead of two. Even with the deficit the Lakers started off their season with, the team found itself scrapping its way into the Play-In games. Listed as underdogs, the team staged upsets against the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, dispatching both teams in identical fashion. In an ordinary season anything less than a championship would be unacceptable for the franchise but considering the changing circumstances, making a late season surge into the Western Conference Finals is the consolation they’ll have to accept.
Regardless of how the season ends the Lakers will have several key decisions that they have to make in order for them to return to contention. Fortunately for the front office, the extended run into the playoffs allowed for enough of a sample size that they can utilize when it comes to making those key decisions.
Re-signing Austin Reaves
Since being entrenched as the starting guard next to D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves has ascended as one of the Lakers best players on the season. The second-year undrafted guard not only improved his productivity in the regular season, he has locked in as the Lakers third best player throughout the entire playoffs. Reaves’ looming contract negotiations will be a priority for the team but the Lakers do have an advantage due to Reaves’ contract being limited by the ‘Gilbert Arenas’ provision. Austin’s next deal is projected to be anywhere from $50M to $80M and after his emergence in the playoffs his upcoming raise is rightly deserved.
D’Angelo Russell’s Extension, Possible Sign-And-Trade
When the Lakers traded for Russell, they did so with the expectation that his shooting and playmaking would naturally complement their two stars and for the most part it did. In the playoffs Russell’s performance was mixed as he suffered through defensive issues of his own. On the offensive end, Russell’s scoring also took a hit as teams were focused on being physical with him but like all of his other teammates, retaining him at a reasonable number is more important letting him walk for nothing at all. In the very worst case scenario, finding a sign-and-trade destination. for Russell can also be beneficial to the Lakers.
Re-signing Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura had a serious impact for the Lakers in the playoffs off the bench right from the very first game. After dropping 29 points in a Game 1 victory against the Grizzlies, Rui was part of the Lakers most productive lineups all post season. In a league where wings that can score and rebound are a premium, retaining Rui should be a priority. Like Reaves, Rui has played up his value to where the range of his next contract is in the realm of $70- $80M.
Guarantee Jarred Vanderbilt’s Contract
Jarred Vanderbilt was immediately inserted into the Lakers starting lineup as their primary wing defender in the regular season and the results were productive. While his defensive impact waned due to his limited offensive production in the playoffs, Vanderbilt entrenched himself as the Lakers go-to defender for wing sized players. His rebounding motor also proved incredibly helpful to help spell LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With his salary at under $5 million for next year, guaranteeing his deal is an easy decision.
Guarantee Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba
Like Vanderbilt, Beasley and Bamba both had productive levels of impact in the regular season. While Bamba was unavailable due to injury in the playoffs, Beasley’s defensive struggles had him cut out of the rotation in the postseason. Even with them not having utility in the postseason, both players are able bodied enough to help fill out the rotation in the regular season. Picking up both of their contracts is also helpful from an asset management perspective as both players are expiring salaries that wouldn’t afford cap space with Reaves and Rui’s extensions on the books.
Gauging Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schroder’s Market
Both Lonnie and Dennis had important moments in the regular season and were productive in their roles in the postseason. Dennis was fixed as the Lakers back up point guard while Lonnie was called upon against the Warriors and came through in a heroic Game 4 effort. Both players may not have too much of a market and if the Lakers can offer them something competitive, they should be retained. The Lakers can offer Walker IV a modest raise while offering whichever mid-level exception is available to Dennis if they choose.
Keep LeBron James (TBD) and Anthony Davis Healthy!
Keeping James and Davis healthy is paramount. The Lakers spent a significant chunk of the season with a lopsided roster that put immense expectations on Davis and James to be healthy. With the new acquisitions at the deadline and retaining them, the Lakers can help alleviate that burden with enhanced depth. An increased focus on featuring Anthony Davis with the complementary role players that actually fit can preserve some of the remaining mileage on James’ body.
Championships are hard to win and the journey can be arduous. Both James and Davis have shown that with the right complement of teammates they can compete at the highest level. For the Lakers to return to the conference finals and advance, they’ll need to have preserve some semblance of continuity and familiarity to build on. Of course this will first all hinge on LeBron’s decision this offseason.