The NBA offseason hasn’t officially tipped off yet, but teams are already locking in their own free agents before the market goes live. The Hawks gave CJ McCollum an extension. The Wizards brought back Trae Young on a long-term deal. For the Lakers though, the situation is a lot messier. More than half their roster could walk this summer, and the clock is ticking.
Before we get into it, let’s clear the air. LeBron James and Austin Reaves aren’t going anywhere. Those are the obvious priorities. Everyone knows that. This list is about the guys who might actually be in question, the ones the Lakers could lose if they don’t act fast.
Let’s run through the names that matter most.
Marcus Smart is the heart of this defense
Smart was maybe the best bargain pickup of last offseason. He took a buyout from the Wizards and brought something the Lakers had been missing for years: actual toughness. Physical, smart, annoying to play against on the defensive end. And according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Smart is expected to opt out of his deal and test the market again.
The Lakers need him back. Period. It’s not just about what he does on the court either, although that matters a lot. It’s the leadership. Multiple young guys on the roster said Smart took them under his wing last season. He wasn’t the most efficient shooter, sure. But nobody who watched him play thought he was a problem. If he wants a reasonable raise, the Lakers have to pay it.
Rui Hachimura is too valuable to let walk
If there was a trophy for crushing a specific role, Rui Hachimura would have a shelf full of them. He came into the league as a lottery pick with a green light to score. Since joining the Lakers, he’s willingly taken a backseat as a scorer and turned himself into one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league.
In the playoffs, he shot 54.9 percent from the field and 56.9 percent from three. That’s not a fluke. That’s a guy who knows exactly where to be and when. But McMenamin also reported that Rui could be the odd man out if the Lakers have to make tough financial choices. That would be a mistake. He has the trust of JJ Redick. He plays his role perfectly. The Lakers need to get a deal done.
Jaxson Hayes has become the perfect backup center
Everyone knows the Lakers need a starting center. But they also need a backup, and Jaxson Hayes is already one of the best in the league at that job. When he left New Orleans, not many people thought much of it. But he’s developed into a real impact big off the bench.
His pick-and-roll chemistry with Luka Doncic is the best on the team. His short-roll passing has gotten noticeably better. He put on muscle and it showed on the glass. And he has that size you can’t teach. He won’t cost a fortune either. Instead of hunting for a replacement, the Lakers should just bring him back.
The rest of the roster is a mixed bag
Luke Kennard had a nice little stretch at the end of the regular season and early in the Houston series. But he faded hard against the Thunder. If another team offers him real money, the Lakers should let him walk. He’s replaceable.
Deandre Ayton has a player option. If he opts out, it’s probably time to move on. The talent is undeniable, but the inconsistency was a problem all season. Maxi Kleber is low priority. Nick Smith Jr. has a team option that’s cheap, but he’d be fighting Bronny James for minutes anyway. As for the two-way guys, Drew Timme and Chris Mañon both showed enough to earn another look, but it depends on whether they’re willing to sign another two-way deal or test the market elsewhere.
The Lakers have a real chance to keep their core together. The question is whether they’ll be willing to spend what it takes.
Leave a Comment