Ranking Lakers' Priorities for 2024 NBA Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers could have a lengthy to-do list for the 2024 NBA offseason.

They probably won't get much of it done during free agency.

Spending money could be tight or non-existent. And if it isn't, the Lakers could have even bigger problems to deal with, as that likely means LeBron James declined his player option and bolted out of town.

Free agency isn't the place where the Lakers can make radical changes this summer—they'd need to hit the trade market to make that happen—but they do have some things to accomplish.

3. Find More Shooting

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 16: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a play-in tournament game at the Smoothie King Center on April 16, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The Lakers should have an unstoppable offense. They might if they could ever get that end of the floor spaced out properly.

If opposing defenses get stretched out, they won't have an answer for James' downhill attacks or Anthony Davis' rolls to the rim. There just isn't a good way to defend either one beyond overloading the interior with help defenders.

Far too often, teams have been allowed to do just that. L.A. finished 28th in three-point attempts this season. It was 26th the year prior.

Those rankings are unforgivably low. James has essentially publicly pleaded for more shooting, and the front office has essentially ignored that request. The easiest way to upgrade this offense is by finally giving James what he wants (and needs).

2. D'Angelo Russell's Player Option

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: D'Angelo Russell (1) of the Los Angeles Lakers chews his mouthpiece possibly in hopes of channeling Stephen Curry during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets' 101-99 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, April 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

The Lakers were often at their best when Russell was this season. They went 16-3 when he scored 24-plus points. They were 16-1 when he made at least five three-pointers.

The problem is when they needed him most, he was at his worst. The playoffs were nothing short of a disaster for Russell, as he averaged more shots (14.6) than points (14.2) and laid a goose egg in their postseason home opener. Even worse, this was the second straight year in which he fell apart during a playoff bout with the Denver Nuggets.

So, what happens next? Great question. Russell holds an $18.7 million player option for next season, per Spotrac, and given how few win-now teams have money to spend, he isn't guaranteed to get a richer salary on the open market. If he could get something relatively close on a longer deal, though, he might be open to that.

Should the Lakers want him back? Well, that all depends on their alternatives. If they could add a top-shelf shot-creator like Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, then they'd probably escort Russell to the exits. If they're instead relying on a healthy season for Gabe Vincent or anything from Jalen Hood-Schifino, then Russell would clearly be the preference.

1. Get a Commitment from LeBron James

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 27, 2024 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

James holds a $51.4 million player option for next season, per Spotrac. That's an incredible amount of anyone, let alone someone in his age-40 campaign.

And yet, he is no lock to pick it up. In fact, he could probably do better if he declines it and signs a new deal, whether that's in L.A. or elsewhere. The Lakers are reportedly open to discussing a three-year, $164 million max extension, per The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick.

Obviously, the Lakers want him to stick around, as they absolutely should. The calendar says he's getting older, but the stat sheet still can't find any evidence of aging. This past season, his 21st in the league, he shot a career-high 41 percent from deep, posted his fifth-highest field-goal percentage (54) and was one of nine players with top-20 averages in points (25.7, 16th) and assists (8.3, sixth).

If the Lakers have any hope for contending next season, it revolves around him.