Behind the scenes, there have been sweeping changes to the Lakers this offseason: New assistant general managers, new scouts in place, dramatic changes to the business operations side and staffing. New owner Mark Walter is putting his stamp on the organization.
On the court next season... will things look that much different?
The Lakers are focused on re-signing Austin Reaves, they appear likely to re-sign LeBron James, and reports have them working to keep Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. What will change? Here are the latest offseason reports and rumors around the Lakers.
Reaves, LeBron contracts
This much is clear: Both the Lakers and Reaves want this marriage to continue.
"He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker, and we feel the same way," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said at his end-of-season press conference.
Money issues have also led to more than one divorce.
Reaves, 28, will opt out of his $14.9 million deal with the Lakers for next season because this is his big shot at a generational wealth contract. However, in league circles, it's a given that Reaves will re-sign with the Lakers. The real question is what number does he re-sign for? The Lakers can offer up to five years and $241 million, but in the tax-apron era, the Lakers want — and frankly need — to sign their No. 2 option for less than the max. Brooklyn is looming and can offer a max of four years, $178 million — and the rumor that they will is out there. That means the Lakers need to offer a little more, but should be able to lock up Reaves for something like five years, $200 to $210 million.
League sources continue to tell NBC Sports that it looks increasingly likely LeBron James will re-sign with the Lakers. Money matters here, but so does lifestyle. With the Lakers, LeBron is playing with his son, Bronny, in Los Angeles, and his family has established a life here.
As for the money, LeBron will be taking a steep pay cut from the $52 million max he earned last season, regardless of where he signs. However, if he leaves Los Angeles to team up with Stephen Curry in Golden State, the best they can do is the $15.1 million mid-level exception — and that is more than a lot of other teams can play up. It's a nice narrative to have him come full circle and play one more season with the Cavaliers, but the most Cleveland could offer is the $3.9 million veteran minimum. There is no chance LeBron is playing anywhere for the minimum.
The Lakers have LeBron's Bird rights and will pay more than anyone else. The question is, where does that number land? Two years at $50 million (player option on the second year, and a no-trade clause)? Can the Lakers push him down to $20 million a season? Less?
Whatever the final figures are, expect LeBron to remain a Laker.
Lakers free agent targets
The Lakers have the cap space to land a max player, and Luka Doncic has told the team where he wants them to spend it, reports Dave McMenamin at ESPN.
"Luka's first and foremost desire is an A-list center," the source said.
A lot of Knicks fans desired affordable tickets to the NBA Finals, but wanting them and reality are two different things.
Where is this center going to come from? Jalen Duren is the best name on the board, but he's a restricted free agent, and there is zero chance Detroit will let a player who has become a cornerstone for them walk. Walker Kessler and his agent are trying to squeeze every dollar they can out of Utah, but Kessler posted on social media Thursday about how much he loves and has put down roots in Utah, and it's not like the Jazz front office is not letting him walk out the door to a West rival for nothing anyway, they would match any offer. That leaves lesser names. Mitchell Robinson was fantastic during the Knicks' run to the Finals, but his chronic injury issues limit his minutes and games during the regular season. John Collins is solid and available, but not the A-List guy Doncic is thinking about.
The best center available via trade might be the Lakers' old friend, Anthony Davis, but the price of that trade would be steep, if he's even interested in a return.
The Lakers may have better luck trying to poach a two-way wing from a team dealing with tax issues or a crowded roster. Peyton Watson — a SoCal guy from Long Beach Poly and UCLA — is a restricted free agent and the Nuggets are a very expensive team. Denver wants to keep Watson and is looking to move Christian Bruan instead to save money, but it's an option. Houston also may not be able to keep Tari Eason if the Lakers put together a big enough offer.
Lakers keeping veterans like Smart
Lakers fans may not love this, but the Lakers are likely to run a lot of the core players from last season back. From McMenamin at ESPN:
The Lakers are interested in retaining Marcus Smart and sharpshooter Luke Kennard, sources told ESPN. Smart, who was recruited to L.A. by Doncic and has until June 29 to exercise the final year of his contract at $5.4 million... Kennard, for his part, was on an $11 million expiring contract and has interest in making L.A. his long-term home after previously playing 2.5 seasons with the LA Clippers.
Defense and shooting are things the Lakers need, which makes bringing Smart and Kennard back logical, but that may mean Rui Hachimura is the odd man out, McMenamin mentions. That's a harsh thing to say about a guy who averaged 17.5 points per game in the playoffs while shooting 56.9% from 3-point range.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton (player option he is expected to pick up) could be back, although those guys with an attached pick could be at the heart of any Lakers trade package this summer.
Still, if the Lakers start Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Smart and a center with Kennard and Vanderbilt off the bench, next season's Lakers team could look a lot like the 53-win No. 4 seed from this season.
