The Los Angeles Lakers' ideal offseason means adding shooting, depth, and defense around Luka Doncic. Do not be surprised to see them retain Austin Reaves and LeBron James, while trading for two new starters. In the ideal world, the purple and gold get Christian Braun and Nic Claxton, along with improving their depth. This is a massive ask and likely costs LA their three tradeable first-round draft picks, but the Lakers have to be bold to build a title contender around number 77.
Their first offseason decisions revolve around Reaves and LeBron. Reaves will decline his player option to become an unrestricted free agent. He wants to stay with the Lakers, but it will take a massive raise. Los Angeles should be trying to get him to take $30-35 million per year. If he wants more, the Lakers have to consider letting him walk. LeBron is open to taking less, but he wants Rob Pelinka to improve the roster. The Lakers hope he accepts $25-30 million for next season, so they can upgrade.
This is the ideal offseason, so both players return on the low end of those numbers. That gives Pelinka the freedom to make trades. The Nuggets want to save money to sign Peyton Watson, so the Lakers swoop in for Christian Braun. It still takes LA a first round draft pick to win the bidding, but the Lakers use their other two tradeable firsts to solidify the center spot.
Lakers would get two upgrades to their starting lineup after ideal offseason
Here is a look at the Lakers' projected starting lineup after the ideal offseason.
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Christian Braun
PF: LeBron James
C: Nic Claxton
In this scenario, LeBron James speeds up his projected timeline, and it allows LA to add some depth in free agency. They bring Marcus Smart back with a small raise. Keep Bronny James, Adou Thiero, and Jaxson Hayes. Beyond that, the Lakes convince Keon Ellis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Goodwin, Marvin Bagley II, and Taurean Prince to join the roster. This gives head coach JJ Redick some needed depth and multiple avenues to employ his roster. Â
The Lakers aren't going to match the depth of the Thunder or Spurs overnight. Those rosters are built through the draft and have several key pieces on rookie contracts. Los Angeles must take a slower approach and try to find difference-makers on the minimum.
This would be several reunions for the Lakers. Tim Hardaway Jr. played with Luka for five and a half years in Dallas. Goodwin and Prince are former Lakers. Ellis has long been a rumored target and could finally wear the purple and gold after struggling to get on the floor in the playoffs with Cleveland.
Bagley is a solid third big man who can split minutes with Hayes depending on the matchup. He has never played for LA, but getting him in on a minimum could be a win.
The Lakers would be a bit small in this scenario, but teams aren't readily giving up 6’7 wings at any discount. Ellis, Goodwin, and Hardaway Jr. would give them a bit more athleticism, and the Lakers would hope Thiero grows into a rotation role in year two. LA would have plenty of shooting around Luka. If the defense clicks, they could be dangerous.
The Los Angeles Lakers should be looking for two new starters, and their ideal offseason gives them an upgrade at the three and the five. Christian Braun and Nic Claxton may be dream additions, but Rob Pelinka has to solve those two spots and find wins in the minimum market. It won’t be easy, but building a title contender never is.
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