SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 31 Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
After a brutal 2021-22 campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers will shift their focus to the offseason as they look to leap back into contention next season.
It is far from controversial to say that the purple and gold have an abundance of issues to address, starting with their head coach after they relieved Frank Vogel once the season ended. Along with a search for a new coach, Los Angeles also has plenty of roster decisions to make with soon-to-be free agents and players that could be on the trading block this offseason.
With all that said, let us take a look at five roster moves the Los Angeles Lakers must make this offseason as they attempt to retool ahead of next season.
Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Pick up the team option on Austin Reaves
In what was an overall gloomy season, Austin Reaves proved to be one bright spot for the Lakers. The undrafted rookie quickly carved out a role in LA’s rotation and played a key part in any success they had as the shooting guard averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. Appearing in 61 games, including 19 starts, Reaves made a name for himself in LA, and they will now have to make a decision on his future in what should be a relatively easy choice.
Right now, Reaves has a club option for the 2022-23 season worth $1.6 million, and picking it up seems like a no-brainer. The guard showed glimpses of potential throughout his rookie campaign, and the Lakers should look to keep developing him alongside their core pieces.
Reaves could be a quality contributor down the line, and with his affordable salary for next season, the Lakers should not have an issue with keeping him on board. One of the biggest criticisms directed at Los Angeles this year was that they had too many veterans and not enough young players on their roster, and keeping the 23-year-old Reaves can keep some youth in the mix.
The Los Angeles Lakers should and likely will pick up Reaves’ team option the moment they can.
Los Angeles</a> Lakers will shift their focus to the offseason as they look to leap back into contention next season.</p>
<p>It is far from controversial to say that the purple and gold have an abundance of issues to address, starting with their head coach after they relieved Frank Vogel once the season ended. Along with a search for a new coach, Los Angeles also has plenty of roster decisions to make with soon-to-be free agents and players that could be on the trading block this offseason.</p>
<p>With all that said, let us take a look at five roster moves the Los Angeles Lakers must make this offseason as they attempt to retool ahead of next season.</p>
<h2>Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Pick up the team option on Austin Reaves</h2>
<p>In what was an overall gloomy season, Austin Reaves proved to be one bright spot for the Lakers. The undrafted rookie quickly carved out a role in LA’s rotation and played a key part in any success they had as the shooting guard averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. Appearing in 61 games, including 19 starts, Reaves made a name for himself in LA, and they will now have to make a decision on his future in what should be a relatively easy choice.</p>
<p>Right now, Reaves has a club option for the 2022-23 season worth $1.6 million, and picking it up seems like a no-brainer. The guard showed glimpses of potential throughout his rookie campaign, and the Lakers should look to keep developing him alongside their core pieces.</p>
<p>Reaves could be a quality contributor down the line, and with his affordable salary for next season, the Lakers should not have an issue with keeping him on board. One of the biggest criticisms directed at Los Angeles this year was that they had too many veterans and not enough young players on their roster, and keeping the 23-year-old Reaves can keep some youth in the mix.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles Lakers should and likely will pick up Reaves’ team option the moment they can.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-444408 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2203,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1384301906.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers" width="3200" height="2203" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1384301906.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1384301906-768x529.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 03 (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Let Kent Bazemore and Wayne Ellington walk in free agency</h2>
<p>Speaking of seasoned veterans, two players that the Lakers brought aboard last offseason were Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore. Given that they both agreed to minimum deals during their free agency period and had been established role players in this league for a long time, Ellington and Bazemore looked like solid additions to the Lakers on impact. Yet, neither quite panned out as many had initially hoped.</p>
<p>Ellington found himself in and out of the nightly rotation, but he put up some solid numbers when he was fortunate enough to play. The guard averaged 6.7 points per game while knocking down a solid 38.9 percent of his triples on 4.9 attempts, as he provided some quality scoring and shooting off the bench.</p>
<p>While the Lakers could use a decent three-point shooter like Ellington next season, they could look to move on from him for two reasons. First, a significant reason why the veteran did not see much time this season was because he was a defensive liability, and the Lakers need to target players that can help on that side of the basketball. Second, Ellington is 34 years old, and LA may look to get younger, which they should.</p>
<p>As for Bazemore, the Lakers seemingly envisioned that he could carve out a role for himself when they brought him in, but that did not exactly pan out. The 32-year-old appeared in 39 contests and averaged a mere 14 minutes per game, the third-fewest in his career.</p>
<p>When he did receive playing time, Bazemore did not impress, as he averaged a lackluster 3.4 points while hitting 32.4 percent of his shots from the floor. He had a chance to make a name for himself defensively, but the wing failed in that regard as well, having struggled mightily. The Lakers should and almost certainly will let Bazemore walk in free agency to pursue other players that can contribute at a higher level.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-444410 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1369425758.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1369425758.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1369425758-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 03 (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Convince Malik Monk to re-sign</h2>
<p>In a season full of disappointment, Malik Monk proved to be one of the few positives for the Lakers. After signing with Los Angeles on a minimum deal in free agency, the 24-year-old had the best season of his young career, and he will now test the waters as an unrestricted free agent. Given how prominent of a role he played for the Lakers, they should do everything in their power to convince the guard to stay put in LA, though that will not be an easy task.</p>
<p>After spending the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Charlotte Hornets, Monk had a breakout year with the Lakers, averaging a solid 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.1 minutes per game, all of which were new career-highs.</p>
<p>Though he was not outstanding on the defensive end, Monk’s game offensively made him a seamless fit alongside LA’s other stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and bringing him back to play with those two next season should be among their top priorities. Whether it is off the bench or in the starting five, Monk can be a nightly contributor for this team with his prolific scoring, and the Lakers could surely use him.</p>
<p>The problem Los Angeles faces in retaining Monk is how much he may command in free agency. The guard certainly earned himself a raise following a great season, and given the Lakers’ lack of financial flexibility, Los Angeles will face stiff competition from opposing teams looking to bulk up their backcourt depth.</p>
<p>According to HoopsHype’s Michael A. Scotto, four NBA executives believe Monk could earn an annual amount of money between the taxpayer and non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which would be <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LOYW62qWDr8C4uZmvwc9z?si=4edfdd7ac5884085&nd=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">somewhere around $6-$10 million</a>. That puts the Lakers in a difficult spot, and although it is not impossible to re-sign him for that price, as highlighted in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952328-nba-rumors-binge-a-desperate-ben-simmons-suitor-how-lakers-can-keep-monk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this piece</a> by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, it is far from easy for the purple and gold.</p>
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<img class="wp-image-444411 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1367058610.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1367058610.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1367058610-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 23 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Find a viable trade partner for Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 first-round pick</h2>
<p>Many were perplexed when the Lakers decided to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline rather than make a single move to improve the roster. However, that did not stop them from trying, as LA tried <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/1/24/22898436/lakers-russell-westbrook-rumors-frank-vogel-all-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to shop a package</a> containing Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and a first-round pick around the NBA, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor. Although no opposing teams bit at the offer at the trade deadline, LA should try again this offseason to see if there are any interested parties.</p>
<p>Given their contracts for the 2022-23 season, packaging a deal with Horton-Tucker ($10.3 million) and Nunn ($5.3 million PO) is LA’s best chance to make a sizeable splash. Their 2027 first-rounder would be a sweetener here, and although it is among the finite assets the Lakers still have in tow, it would be worth parting ways with a pick in 2027 if it helps now. With James and Davis onboard, LA needs to go all-in to win right now, and this particular package could help them to some extent.</p>
<p>While there are several players across the league that could hypothetically be had for this package, one that is interesting is Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons. In fact, according to long-time insider Marc Stein <strong>(subscription required)</strong>, the Lakers <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-plausibility-of-trading-russell?s=r%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">did offer this deal</a> to the Pistons at the deadline, but they obviously did not accept.</p>
<p>Although they struck out the first time, LA should try again once the offseason begins to try and pry Grant away from Detroit. The 28-year-old could be a third scorer next to James and Davis while also providing some tough defense, which is exactly what LA needs right now.</p>
<p>Grant is just one of the players that could be had with this package, and whether or not they make another run at him, they should look to move this haul for an impact player. It should be noted that Nunn has a player option for next season, but given that he just missed the entirety of last season, he will almost certainly accept.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-444412 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1389565766.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1389565766.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1389565766-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Trade Russell Westbrook</h2>
<p>Sitting atop the Lakers’ to-do list this offseason is finding a trade partner for Russell Westbrook, given that he accepts his $47 million player option for next season. Westbrook never managed to find his footing in Los Angeles throughout the 2021-22 season, largely due to his puzzling fit in the lineup alongside James and Davis. The writing has been on the wall that Westbrook will be out of LA this offseason, but the question remains who would consider taking on his hefty contract.</p>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://marcstein.substack.com/p/trading-russell-westbrook?s=r%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">first potential landing spot</a> for Westbrook is the Charlotte Hornets, as reported by Marc Stein <strong>(subscription required)</strong>. While the Hornets would likely want to send Gordon Hayward back to LA in a Westbrook trade, given his hefty contract, the Lakers should seriously inquire about Terry Rozier. The guard would immediately be a better fit than Westbrook due to his solid shooting and scoring, which could make him the ideal third star for this Los Angeles team.</p>
<p>If the Lakers cannot come to terms with the Hornets on a Westbrook deal, another team that may <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://theathletic.com/3243084/2022/04/11/whats-next-for-lakers-notes-on-nick-nurse-russell-westbrook-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">be in the mix is the Indiana Pacers</a>, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania <strong>(subscription required)</strong>.</p>
<p>The Pacers appear to be entering a rebuild, and taking on Westbrook, along with a few drafts picks in a trade, would make sense to help jumpstart that. If the Lakers<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/27/moves-los-angeles-lakers-offseason/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/16/los-angeles-lakers-russell-westbrook-trade/" rel=""> could acquire one or even both of Malcolm Brogdon or Buddy Hield,</a> they must pounce on the opportunity. Either player would be a significant addition due to what they bring to the table and could help make the Lakers much more formidable on impact.</p>
<p>Perhaps there will be more teams surface in Russell Westbrook rumors in the coming months, but the Los Angeles Lakers must find the former MVP winner a new home rather quickly.</p>
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