The dream starting 5 for the Lakers 5 years from now

By Jason Reed | Sep 10, 2023

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on November 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Lakers’ dream PF in 2028: Jayson Tatum

Some Lakers fans may have expected to see Giannis Antetokounmpo slot in at the power forward position. While there has been some speculation about Giannis leaving Milwaukee and the Lakers being a potential destination, Jayson Tatum is the superstar to keep an eye on in the coming years.

There isn’t a player in the NBA who has made his fandom more obvious than Tatum has made his Lakers fandom. Tatum has expressed how big of a Lakers (and in particular, Kobe) fan he was growing up and that should hold some kind of weight.

Plus, the future of the Boston Celtics is unclear. While the team is undoubtedly a contender right now, there are not many directions it can go. If this Tatum-Jaylen Brown partnership doesn’t work for the seventh time in a row is Tatum really going to want to stick around?

Tatum can first become a free agent in the 2025 summer, which is the same offseason that LeBron James’ contract comes off the books. Los Angeles will have a max spot to utilize on someone and Tatum could be the biggest fish in the pond if he opts out with his player option.

He would be three years into his deal by the time 2028 rolled around but he would still only be 30 years old. Thus far the Lakers could have a homegrown guard in JHS, two stars in Booker and Tatum and a fan favorite in Reaves. There is only one player that can top this all off.

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