Predicted Lakers starters:
PG: D’Angelo Russell | 2023-2024 Opening Night Age: 27 | 2023-2024 Salary: $30 Million
Q: Is he our bona fide floor general of the future?
A: D’Lo has rapidly established himself as the team’s 3rd option, averaging a hair over 19 points and 6 dimes a game while shooting over 47% from 3 in his six appearances thus far. With 1 All-Star appearance to his name, Russell has proven capable of stardom. A ton of the team’s success the rest of the year lies in his hands, but he seems mature and wise enough at this stage of his career to handle the pressure.
His current expiring salary for this season is roughly $31.4 million, and the team will maintain his bird rights through free agency (unless renounced). While he is assuredly looking to get paid, D’Lo and his agent will likely need to settle somewhere in the Jalen Brunson ($26.3) to Chris Paul ($30.8) range.
Theoretically, with LeBron probably looking at maybe 2 more seasons (2023-2024 + 2024-2025), Russell could look at a 2+1 (player option) deal in order to re-explore a higher contract after LeBron (potentially) retires.
SG: Austin Reaves | 2023-2024 Opening Night Age: 24 | 2023-2024 Salary: $11 Million
Q: Are we sold on Austin Reaves after 2 years of solid contributions?
A: Reaves had made leaps across the board this season, and it is still a bit puzzling that he was not invited to take part in the Rising Stars competition at All-Star weekend. He has been playing the best ball of his career in March, averaging just under 15 points and just over 5 dimes a game while hitting over 40% of his looks from downtown.
LeBron’s unforeseen injury left a large playmaking void, and AR has done his part to take care of that. His rookie deal expires this season, and the team will also hold his bird rights.
There should be no questions regarding whether the team will look to bring him back, but rather questions regarding how much he is worth. He has shown enough to deserve something similar to what Caruso received from the Bulls back in 2021.
SF: LeBron James | 2023-2024 Opening Night Age: 38 | 2023-2024 Salary: $53.3 Million
Q: Will next season be LeBron’s final season with the Lakers?
A: That much is uncertain, but one thing that is certain is that LeBron will indeed be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers next season. And after Pelinka’s haul at the NBA trade deadline, it appears that the franchise may now be in LeBron’s good graces (for now):
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1634430652497154048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt | 2023-2024 Opening Night Age: 23 | 2023-2024 Salary: $4.7 Million
Q: Is Vando better suited as a starter or energizer off the bench?
A: Vanderbilt has another year on his contract and will be back to wreak havoc on opposing scorers. With that in mind, his swiss army knife style of play could work starting games or coming off the bench. His defensive chops and basketball IQ make him a logical partner in the frontcourt between LeBron and AD.
C: Anthony Davis | 2023-2024 Opening Night Age: 30 | 2023-2024 Salary: $40.6 Million
Q: Will Anthony Davis be able to carry the torch in the inevitable post-LeBron era?
A: AD has had one of his strongest (if not the strongest) individual seasons of his career, and has done well to largely temper any unfair criticisms of his work ethic and/or durability through his performance all year.
With LeBron’s retirement looming in the years to come, this is a team that is going to need someone to take control of the reigns upon his departure. Since he was acquired, AD has been the undoubted heir to the throne. With a player option for the 2024-2025 season, how the season plays out next year could have mammoth implications for the overall direction of this franchise.