The Lakers’ offseason plans in 2023 shouldn’t be that many. Rob Pelinka revamped the roster during the season and for the most part he did a great job. So they only need to make a few minor tweaks to get over the hump and back into championship contention.
Still, this team needs to get younger and plan ahead. LeBron James isn’t getting any younger, and we already know we can’t count on Anthony Davis to stay healthy for the entire season, so they need to find more shooters.
Lakers offseason plans for 2023
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Lakers’ 2023 offseason plans, some of the Lakers’ upcoming free agents, and what they should or shouldn’t do over the next few months if they want to raise the No flag. 18 sooner rather than later.
free agents
The Lakers roster could look very different next season if they don’t play well with their hands. Malik Beasley didn’t turn out as well as they thought, so it’s unlikely they’ll bring him back next season. As for Scottie Pippen Jr., he has a two-way contract, but he barely played.
Dennis Schroder has been inconsistent, but he’s a beloved member of the locker room. Troy Brown Jr. and Tristan Thompson gave them next to nothing in the playoffs, so they should be out, and the same goes for D’Angelo Russell.
As for Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, they will reportedly match any offers made to them, with the jury still out on Lonnie Walker IV having a great game and then being out of the rotation after injury and all the additions. prepared.
Potential offseason targets
As always, the Lakers’ offseason buzz will feature nearly every star available. They have always been associated with some of the biggest names in the league, and most stars would cherish the opportunity to be teammates with LeBron James.
This offseason will be no exception to that rule. Some of the Lakers’ free agency targets in 2023 could include Kyle Kuzma, Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green or even James Harden, assuming he opts out of the final year of his contract.
Then again, their main focus should be on keeping their core guys together for at least one more season. They were pretty close to making the NBA Finals and they just need to match up better with the Denver Nuggets or deeper teams like the Los Angeles Clippers.
What to make of Anthony Davis?
Truth be told, the Lakers just can’t trust Anthony Davis. He was Alternate Days (AD) in the Playoffs, at least offensively. His defense was on point for the most part, though he never had an answer for Nikola Jokic, but it’s hard to blame anyone for struggling against arguably the most versatile offensive player in the league right now.
The thing is, Davis is rarely healthy and his motor is on and off at times. His body language is not very encouraging and it is almost impossible for him to turn things around after a slow start. Otherwise, he can cool off as quickly as he heats up when other teams double him.
There’s no denying that Davis is one of the most talented two-way players the game has ever seen. But the Lakers may have to come to terms with the fact that he’s not going to carry LeBron’s torch and be their guy when the King is no longer in town.
Darwin Hamm may not have one of the highest head coaching salaries, but he’s certainly done a great job keeping his team in contention even with an inconsistent Davis. But they may need to look at all their options, and that includes trading him.
The fall of LeBron
On that same note, it’s time to start talking about the future of one of the greatest small forwards of all time. LeBron James is no longer a teenager, and for the first time in his career, he looks human. He was literally gasping for air, and while he’s stepped it up a notch every couple of games, especially against the Golden State Warriors, he won’t be the same player again, and that’s okay.
James played 20 full seasons at the highest level. It would be unrealistic for the Lakers to expect him to carry the load and be their go-to guy for all 82 games. He relied on his teammates more than usual in the playoffs, and that’s the way it should be going forward.
They can’t make James shoot 20+ a night, drive the lane, help others and play 38+ minutes. It was an elite run, and chances are no one will ever be as good as LeBron James. We’re not saying he won’t be an All-Star caliber player again, but this stretch of the playoffs could be the beginning of the end.
The Lakers will have to adjust and plan accordingly. James will now play off the ball more than ever and practice the occasional day off, especially in back-to-back sets. If that doesn’t make you feel old, I don’t know what will.