Lakers' Complete Free Agency Preview and Predictions Before 2024 NBA Draft

The 2024 NBA offseason should be an eventful one for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Or, rather, it needs to be one, as this franchise is operating in championship-or-bust mode without a championship-or-bust roster in place.

Now, if LeBron James, who holds a $51.4 million player option, per Spotrac, seeks out greener pastures elsewhere, then everything changes. The ceiling drops, the expectations evaporate and the urgency to act gets tossed out the window.

If the King isn't looking for a new throne, though, then it's all-systems-go toward constructing a contender.

Let's break out the trusty crystal ball, then, and predict how free agency will play out for James and a few of his teammates.

LeBron James Opts Out and Re-Signs

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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)

A 39-year-old hooper with historic mileage on his odometer shouldn't be worth anywhere near $51.4 million, but James established long ago he's not bound by the same biological rules as anyone else. His 21st NBA go-round produced an All-NBA third-team honor and top-20 averages in points (25.7) and assists (8.3, sixth), proving that even if he isn't quite at the peak of his powers, he's still one of the premiere players on the planet.

And that's before factoring in all of the attention, merchandising and business-of-basketball perks that come from employing the King.

He is valuable at this price, in other words, and he'd remain valuable even with a pay raise. The Lakers know as much and seemingly have a blank check awaiting his signature.

Look for him to opt out and perhaps wait a little while before signing his next pact to see what kind of changes the organization makes. In the end, though, he won't be leaving his Hollywood home.

D'Angelo Russell Opts Out and Leaves

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 16: D'Angelo Russell #1 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)

While the Lakers re-signed D'Angelo Russell last summer, they didn't exactly give him a firm commitment. They gave themselves an escape clause and got him to waive his implied no-trade clause.

That felt significant, even if L.A. held onto him past the trade deadline. It showed a possible lack of trust from the team's side, and his most recent playoff flop surely only increased its doubts about the viability of having him as the starting point guard.

Prior to that postseason skid, though, the former No. 2 pick played some of the best basketball of his career. That felt significant, too. When offense-needy shoppers look to spruce up their attacks this summer, they'll all take note of his torrid play once the calendar flipped to 2024 (20.4 points per game on 45/42.6/85.7 shooting from Jan. to April).

Perhaps those numbers won't net him a salary richer than his $18.7 million player option, but they could certainly fetch him something with a similar pay rate over multiple years. He seems likely to land a deal with contract terms the Lakers won't want to pay.

Max Christie Signs an Offer Sheet That Lakers Match

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 24, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

With Max Christie slated to enter restricted free agency, the Lakers almost surely have a price point at which they wouldn't match an offer sheet for him.

However, it's hard to imagine anyone exceeding that price.

Since being selected 35th overall in the 2022 draft, he has logged fewer than 1,500 minutes combined over his first two big-league campaigns. There have been flashes of a three-and-D game and subtle hints of having more off-the-bounce utility than the label normally implies, but if you're looking for jaw-dropping numbers on his stat sheet, your search will come up empty.

The Lakers seem committed to continuing his development, though, and they have control over this situation. Barring an over-market offer that seems like a long-shot at best, look for L.A. to let him find an offer sheet elsewhere and then match it.