Projecting Landing Spots for Lakers' Top Free Agents

The Los Angeles Lakers may always evaluate themselves on the championship-or-bust-scale as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are around, so they might say the jury is still out on whether the 2022-23 NBA season was a success.

We don't have to wait to render our verdict.

Considering how low the Lakers were at times this season and how much of a logistical mess their roster was before the trade deadline—never mind the injury obstacles they encountered—they did well to post a winning record and advance out of the play-in tournament.

The question this front office must tackle, though, is whether they did enough to warrant running it back next season. They have little locked in place beyond James and Davis, so they could let a lot of players walk in free agency if they choose.

Rui Hachimura (Restricted)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 11, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

L.A.'s midseason roster reconstruction started with its late January trade for Rui Hachimura, which cost the club three second-round picks (plus Kendrick Nunn for salary-matching purposes).

The Lakers did this deal knowing the fourth-year forward has restricted free agency awaiting him this offseason. That suggests they have at least some level of interest in retaining him.

At what cost, though? He's a skilled scorer inside the arc, and his 6'8", 230-pound frame gives him the look of an effective two-way player. His defense has never matched his physical tools, though, and he similarly underwhelms as a passer and perimeter shooter, too.

It would make sense for the Lakers to match an offer sheet for Hachimura to a certain point, but there's a pay rate at which L.A. would be best to walk away. Given his age (25) and pedigree (No. 9 pick in 2019), he just might exceed that rate on the open market.

Prediction: Hachimura signs offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers and Lakers decline to match.

Austin Reaves (Restricted)

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 11, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Last season, Austin Reaves proved a fun find for the Purple and Gold as an undrafted rookie. This time around, he took such a dramatic step forward you can reasonably argue he's already the third-most important player on the team.

There really isn't a weak spot on his stat sheet. His shooting slash sizzled to the tune of 52.9/39.8/86.4 accuracy. His scoring average spiked to 13 points for the season and 17.6 after the All-Star break. He more than doubled his 1.5 turnovers with 3.4 assists.

Combine all of that production with the fact Reaves is just 24 years old, and it's possible he priced himself out of the Lakers' long-term plans.

"If it gets to that $60 million-$70 million range for Austin Reaves, that's a tough contract for the Lakers to match," The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV. "He wants to give the Lakers every opportunity to try to get a deal done."

This feels doable, unless someone absolutely blows up Reaves' market. Unless a team thinks stardom is imminent for him, though, it's hard to see him finding a deal that L.A. can't match.

Prediction: Reaves stays in L.A.

D'Angelo Russell (Unrestricted)

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 11, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

D'Angelo Russell's second go-round with the Lakers proved far more productive than his first.

When he exited L.A. the first time, he was a second-year player who was still in the process of establishing his NBA identity. Now, he's more comfortable in his role and more defined in who he is as a player—for better and worse.

He can put up points in bunches, catch fire from three and pick apart defenses with his passing. But his offense can be inconsistent, and his rough nights are hard to stomach with how little he brings to the defensive end. That just played out during L.A.'s play-in win, as he saw just 24 minutes of action while shooting 1-of-9 overall and 0-of-4 from range.

Between the inconsistency and defensive shortcomings, he is someone who has started bouncing around the league. The Lakers were his fourth different team in his last six seasons. Those imperfections should prevent him from finding more money than L.A. wants to pay him. But unless the Lakers get a deal done with Kyrie Irving, Russell is probably the best bet to be their starting point guard next season.

Prediction: Russell re-signs with the Lakers.