The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a familiar spot, licking their wounds after a tough playoff exit. For the second year in a row, the Denver Nuggets sent the Lakers packing, this time in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. As LeBron James adds another year to his legendary career, the Lakers are at a crossroads. With a roster in flux and limited cap flexibility, Rob Pelinka and the front office have some serious strategizing to do.
The Roster Conundrum
LeBron James isn’t getting any younger, and the Lakers’ window for contention is shrinking. The offseason brings several critical decisions, especially with key players like Taurean Prince and D’Angelo Russell potentially on the move. Prince’s contract is expiring, and Russell holds a player option. If Russell opts out, the Lakers will struggle to replace him due to their cap constraints. The team’s best bet is to re-sign him or arrange a sign-and-trade to avoid losing him without compensation.
Center of Attention
A glaring weakness for the Lakers has been their lack of a robust defensive presence in the paint, particularly against dominant big men like Nikola Jokić. Finding a center who can help take the pressure off of Anthony Davis against bigger bodied centers is paramount. While the cap situation limits their options, the mid-level exception (MLE) could be their golden ticket to bolster this position.
Seeking Two-Way Players
The Lakers’ need for versatile, two-way players who can shoot and handle the ball is critical. Spencer Dinwiddie’s late-season acquisition was a mixed bag; while he provided some spark, his overall performance was underwhelming. As a free agent without Bird rights, retaining him will be a challenge.
Potential Trade Targets
Despite the financial tightrope, the Lakers are armed with three tradeable first-round picks, positioning them for a potential blockbuster trade. Here are a few targets who could shift the Lakers back into championship contention:
- Trae Young: The dynamic guard from Atlanta could provide the Lakers with much-needed scoring and playmaking. His ability to create his own shot and facilitate the offense would alleviate some of the load on LeBron. Young would leave a big whole on defense, however, and his recent switch of agencies away from the Lebron-tied Klutch makes this see like an unlikely move.
- Dejounte Murray: Known for his defensive prowess and versatility, Murray could be the two-way player the Lakers desperately need. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute offensively makes him a valuable asset. Rumored to be a Laker target at the trade deadline last season, Murray would be a great young player to add to the core for the present and the post-Lebron era.
- Donovan Mitchell: A proven scorer and playoff performer, Mitchell’s addition would bring explosiveness and reliability in clutch moments. His presence could form a formidable backcourt duo with Russell, provided he re-signs, or with Austin Reaves running the point should Dlo depart.
Free Agent “Big Man” Market
The free agent market also offers intriguing possibilities. While the Lakers’ cap space is limited, here are some top free agents to consider:
- Jonas Valanciunas: An ideal fit due to his big body, rebounding proficiency, and veteran experience, though it seems unlikely he would be available for the MLE, which is the most the Lakers can offer outside of a sign and trade.
- Isaiah Hartenstein: Provides toughness down low, good finishing ability and fantastic screen-setting skills of the bruising variety. Also a good rebounder on both ends. While he would check a lot of boxes for the Lakers, he seems likely to find offers more lucrative than the club can offer.
- Jalen Smith: A young mobile big man who can hit threes, protect the paint and play with energy. Smith has a player option and could be a sneaky get for the Lakers
- Andre Drummond: While his first run with the Lakers a few seasons ago did not pan out, there is no denying that Drummond is still a dominant rebounder and a great finisher down low. He would be a big liability on offense, and his game does not fit very well with that of Anthony Davis. He would be a solid bench option if the price is right.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers’ offseason will be a delicate balancing act of managing financial limitations while trying to make impactful moves. The priority will be re-signing key players like Russell and exploring sign-and-trade options. Utilizing the MLE to bring in a solid center and adding two-way players through trades or the draft could set the stage for a stronger 2024-2025 campaign.
The road ahead is challenging, but with strategic moves and a bit of luck, the Lakers can turn their fortunes around and give LeBron James another legitimate shot at a title. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on for the Lakers to navigate this crucial offseason with precision and vision.