Lakers' Top Needs in 2023 NBA Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers twisted, turned and twisted some more over the course of the 2022-23 NBA season. By its end, though, they had solidified themselves as full-fledged contenders, making their first conference finals appearance since their championship run in 2020.

Now that they've rejoined the contending tier, they need to use this offseason to cement their place within it.

Assuming LeBron James' talk of retirement is nothing but talk, the Lakers have a championship foundation to build around with him and Anthony Davis.

There are plenty of cracks to fill in around them, though, and these are the areas that should have L.A.'s attention.

Shooting

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 6: Troy Brown Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during Round 2 Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on May 6, 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Much of what drove a hyperactive trade season for the Lakers was the realization this team didn't have enough shooting to compete at a high level.

Well, that need still exists in a major way.

Even after the makeover, the Lakers went from an awful shooting team (29th in threes, 26th in three-point percentage) to a middling one (20th and 15th, respectively). And they didn't fare any better in the playoffs (13th and 11th, respectively, out of 16 teams).

Having an above-average perimeter attack isn't just about winning the modern game of NBA math. It's also about spreading out opposing defenses and giving the paint attackers more room to operate.

When those attackers are James and Davis, this offense could near unguardable territory if it adds several high-end sharpshooters.

Playmaking

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: LeBron James #6 and D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 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)

Since James came to Hollywood in 2018, the Lakers have put additional playmakers around them.

Lonzo Ball handled that role initially. Rajon Rondo, Dennis Schröder, Russell Westbrook and D'Angelo Russell have all shouldered it since.

L.A. could be in the market for more playmaking this summer. The Lakers could run it back with Russell, but they would "prefer" using him in a sign-and-trade, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. Ideally, that would net them someone like Kyrie Irving or Fred VanVleet, but both are long-shot targets at best.

Regardless what happens with Russell, who struggled mightily in the playoffs, the Lakers will be conscious of their shot-creation options other than James.

Talent Retention

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Rui Hachimura #28 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on to the court before Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets on May 20, 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

While the Lakers could have the chance to make a splashy addition this summer, chances are their biggest expenditures will happen in-house.

Namely, they should do everything in their power to keep Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, both of whom are heading into restricted free agency.

Because they are restricted free agents, the Lakers can match any offer sheet they sign. If L.A. believes in Reaves' second-half surge and sees even more growth potential in him, it should probably match at any price.

The Lakers could be a bit more judicious with Hachimura, with Buha opining that a $20 million annual salary "is where things might get a bit dicey."

Assuming the market values Reaves and Hachimura at reasonable levels, L.A. should prioritize bringing both back. Each has already proved he can help James and Davis win playoff games, and that should be the Lakers' primary aim as long as their two superstars are around.