Los Angeles Lakers: Who should stay and who should go this offseason?

The players the Los Angeles Lakers brought in last offseason:

Dennis Schroder

First off, let me say the obvious and that is that Schroder is an extremely talented player. When he is doing his thing, the Los Angeles Lakers were rolling. He can go to the basket, and pass and has a great basketball IQ.

The bad part is that he already spurned the Lakers’ offer to him during the season. Of course, that isn’t the end all be all but look, when a player holds out, especially when he is being offered a  lot of money, it doesn’t look well for the team.

Now perhaps it was at a time when things may have been a bit rocky for him but still, it doesn’t look good. The good part is that I feel Schroder wants to play for a winner. That being said, I still shake my head about the fact that he turned down the Lakers’ offer of 4 years for $84 million.

Unless the Lakers up their offer which I don’t think they should, then they should let Schroder walk. This would be okay because if the Lakers agree to re-sign Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tuckerr, it would actually work because we know Caruso can play point guard and Horton-Tucker is a young and multi talented player that has a large amount of upside.

From a financial standpoint, it would help the Los Angeles Lakers to save money and they would also be able to explore potential free agents if they choose.

Verdict: Go

Montrezl Harrell

The Los Angeles Lakers have to keep him. He is such a talented player who plays his heart out all the time. Harrell has that physical and mental edge that the Lakers need. It was a real shame to not see him play much at all toward the end of the season and in the playoffs.

During the season, Harrell carried the Lakers at times and was also their physical backbone. They would be silly to let him walk. Harrell does have a player’s option in his contract which means he can choose to walk if he wants.

That being said, it could work against the team the way things went down for him at the end of the season. However, it may work in their favor as well because depending on what happens with Marc Gasol and Andre Drummond, it may open up more opportunities for Harrell. It really should not matter as Harrell is a player the Lakers need to keep.

Verdict: Stay

Wesley Matthews

The Lakers need to look elsewhere for a player that can shoot the long ball and play defense. After all, those were his specialties and he did do a decent job of it at times but for the most part, he did not.

It wouldn’t save the Lakers too much money but it would open up a roster spot for them and or allow someone else to step up in that position. They can most likely find another player in the free-agent pool.

Verdict: Go

Marc Gasol

His best days are behind him. Gasol didn’t provide what the Los Angeles Lakers needed from him during the season. That being said, they should offer him a buyout and move on. They will need the room on the roster for other players such as Andre Drummond and Montrezl Harrell, two big men that are younger and more talented than Gasol.

Verdict: Go