Lakers’ Chances of Running It Back? One Insider Says ‘Low’

The Lakers have some serious decisions to make this summer, and according to one league insider, don’t expect them to just hit repeat on the roster.

Dan Woike from The Athletic answered that exact question in his latest mailbag. Asked about the odds of Los Angeles bringing back the same group that just finished their season, he kept it short.

“Low. I think the Lakers are under pressure to make changes, so that means some tough decisions,” Woike wrote.

That’s probably for the best if you’re a Lakers fan. The team had a decent regular season, sure. But when the playoffs rolled around, injuries to key guys caught up with them. They got bounced in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that left a lot of questions about what comes next.

LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the two names that feel like locks to return on new deals. But after that? It gets murky fast.

Rui Hachimura has been the subject of trade chatter for a while now. There’s a real chance he’s wearing a different uniform next season. The center spot is another area that could look completely different. The Lakers have been trying to find a top-tier big man to pair with Luka Doncic, something Doncic has wanted since he got to town. That search isn’t over.

You also have to factor in whatever draft pick they end up with. That rookie could carve out a meaningful role right away depending on who’s still on the board when they pick.

So yeah, the core of Doncic, Reaves, and James will probably still be the headliners. But the supporting cast around them? Expect turnover. The margins are going to look different, and the front office is feeling the heat to actually improve this thing, not just run it back and hope for better health.

Who they go after this summer will tell you everything about whether this team thinks they’re one piece away or if a bigger shakeup is coming.