The Los Angeles Lakers made a dramatic late charge to reach the NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Now, the Lakers are one victory away from reaching the conference finals for the first time since winning the whole Chabang in 2020. The acquisition of D’Angelo Russell and the development of Austin Reaves are the major reasons why the Lakers are in the position they are in.
NBA Rumors: Massive Decisions Upcoming for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles was tolling in 13th place (25-30) in the Western Conference when general manager Rob Pelinka traded for Russell as part of a three-team deal. The Lakers also received Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the trade.
The Lakers didn’t “take off” following the NBA trade deadline. But they closed strong, winning 9 of their last 11 to grab the Western Conference’s top play-in spot. Overall, the Lakers posted the third-best post-trade deadline record at 18-9 and a +4.9 scoring margin.
Los Angeles needed overtime, but they did defeat Minnesota in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-in to earn the conference’s seventh seed. The Lakers then defeated No. 2 seeded Memphis in six games. They now head back to Oakland for Game 5, up three games to one over No. 6 Golden State.
Regardless of how the postseason turns out, the Lakers have a crucial decision to make on the future of their backcourt. Russell is one of nine Lakers slated to be free agents, seven of whom see regular playing time.
Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Schroder, Troy Brown Jr., Wenyen Gabriel, and Tristan Thompson are unrestricted free agents. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura, Scotty Pippen Jr. (2-way), and Reeves are restricted free agents.
Los Angeles has seven players under contract. Beasley has a club option, while Vanderbilt has a small guarantee. A decision for players is due by June 30.
The Lakers project to have around $28.8 million in cap space. They have some flexibility as Mo Bamba and Shaquille Harrison have nonguaranteed contracts.
D’Angelo Russell Interested in Remaining With Lakers
Russell doesn’t know where he will be next season. But the 27-year-old guard told The Athletic’s Sam Amick that he is interested in staying with the franchise.
“I would love to stay here, but I would have loved to be in Minnesota too. So wherever my feet are, that’s where I’m gonna be.”
Russell added, “They’ve got a decision to make, don’t they? So we’ll see,” in response to Amick implying that he has a pretty good role with the team.
Russell has been fantastic since coming over to the Lakers. The Lakers are 19-8 in the 27 games Russell has started, regular and postseason. After registering the best shooting campaign of his career with the Timberwolves, he was even better with the Lakers during the regular season.
Russell averaged 17.4 points and 2.7 triples while posting a shooting slash line of .484/.414/.735 in 17 contests. He registered a +4.5 plus/minus rating, second on the team, and a 2.65 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Russell is also proving that he can be productive on a quality team during the playoffs. The eight-year veteran is enjoying his best postseason (3rd of his career). He is producing 15.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 turnovers through 10 games. Russell registered his first career double in Game 5 of the opening round versus Memphis and followed that up with a career-high 31 points in Game 6 of the series.
Los Angeles needs a point guard. Rumors have already been swirling around that they have no interest in pursuing free agent Kyrie Irving. So, it only makes sense that the Lakers, who own his Bird rights, do everything in their power to keep Russell. Russell made over $31.3 million this season and has a cap hold of $38.7 million.
Austin Reaves Likely to Remain With Lakers
Reaves is probably the Lakers’ second most important free agent. The 24-year-old came into his own once he was inserted into the starting lineup late in the year. In 22 regular season starts, Reaves averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while producing a shooting slash line of .510/.402/.893.
Reaves has been impressive during the team’s postseason run, probably the Lakers fourth best player, despite struggling shooting. He has scored in double-figures in nine of 10 playoff games, topping the 20-point mark three times, which includes pouring in 23 points in his first career playoff game and yelling, “I’m Him.”
'I'M HIM"
Austin Reaves letting the world know 🗣 pic.twitter.com/9y15iGbAh0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 16, 2023
Reaves is averaging 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 42% from the field and 34.6% from the 3-point line thru 10 postseason contests. He is also an above-average defender who has done a fantastic job guarding Klay Thompson and Desmond Bane.
Reaves is expected to draw a lot of attention from other teams as a restricted free agent. However, he will likely stay with the Lakers, who own his Early Bird Rights. Reaves previously indicated to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he would love to be with one team his entire career.
“I would love to be here my whole career. Just the way that the fans treat me, the love they have for me, as an undrafted player, it’s kind of like they raised me type of vibe. … It feels like it’s meant to be. It feels like this all happened for a reason and this is where I should be.”
The Athletic’s John Hollinger believes the second-year pro will get over $55 million on a four-year deal.
“The likely end game is that they will pay him north of $55 million over the next four years as an “Arenas Rule” player whose salary will, fortunately for them, be capped at the league average salary (likely to be about $12 million) in at least the first two seasons of any offer sheet.
“(Side notes for cap nerds: L.A. will have to stay below the tax apron to retain him this way. The Lakers should be positioned to do so and have some contractual outs if they need extra wiggle room, but re-signing all four of Reaves, Schröder, De’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura while staying below that line may require some cap chicanery. “
Rui Hachimura Could Return or Join Team With Lots of Cap Room
Hachimura has been a real boom for the Lakers off the bench since being acquired from Washington. The 25-year-old, who reached double-figures in 14 of 33 regular season games, has been the Lakers’ fifth-best player during the playoffs.
Hachimura has scored in double digits four times in playoffs, topping the 20-point plateau four times, including pouring in 29 points in Game 1 of the opening-round series versus Memphis. He also has rebounded and defended well.
Being a restricted free agent, it is very likely Hachimura will remain with the Lakers. However, that doesn’t mean that teams with cap space, like the San Antonio Spurs, won’t throw money at the 6-8 power forward. Hachimura is projected to get $13-16 million annually, per Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.
Will Dennis Schroder Price Him Out Of Los Angeles Again?
Schroder has done a quality job with the Lakers this year as a starter and reserve. But the 29-year-old combo guard didn’t put up huge numbers and has struggled during playoffs. He is averaging 7.3 points, 2.6 dimes, 1.2 steals, and 1. 3 turnovers over 23.8 minutes in 10 playoff contests while shooting 41.1% from the field and 26.3% from the 3-point line.
According to Pincus, if Schroder wants to return to LA next season, he will likely have to settle for the veteran minimum.
“The Lakers likely hope to retain Dennis Schröder, though they don’t have the rights to pay him much more than the minimum.”
Lonnie Walker IV
Walker’s situation is exciting. The 24-year-old unrestricted free agent began the season as the Lakers starting shooting guard and played pretty well. In 32 starts this year, Walker averaged 14.7 points in 29.8 minutes per game and shot 45.5% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range.
But Walker suffered a knee injury in late December that cost him a month of action. When he returned, Walker saw his role diminish as Reaves took over as the starter, and then the Lakers made their deadline deals.
After playing in just 14 games following the all-star break, Walker received a DNP designation in the play-in game. The 6-4 wing then totaled 16 minutes in four appearances against the Grizzlies in the opening round. He also didn’t play in the opening game of the Warriors series.
Walker Comes up Big in Conference Semifinals
However, Walker has been a significant contributor in Game 2-4 against Golden State. Walker iaverages12.0 points on 60.9% shooting from the field and 36.4% from deep in the series. He propelled the Lakers to a come-from-behind 104-101 Game 4 victory, scoring all 15 of his points on 6 of 9 shooting in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles outscored Golden State 27-17 in the frame.
“(It’s) the greatest feeling you could ever imagine,” Walker said with a smile following the Game 4 victory. “As a kid, this is something I’ve been dreaming of.”
Walker is entering free agency for the second straight year. He signed a one-year, $6.4 million year deal with the Lakers last offseason and should be reasonably cheap this offseason. While he should get a raise this offseason, his cap hit $7.7 million.
Los Angeles should be interested in bringing Walker back on a multi-year deal. Walker is a scorer, topping double figures in the last three years, and has demonstrated his defensive potential this year.
