LA Lakers Rumors: Lakers looking to keep their young players in the offseason
The LA Lakers were quite active in the trade market, acquiring young players who could help them, not just this season, but moving forward. The latest rumors suggest that the Lakers are interested in keeping players such as D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura.
An NBA executive discussed the Lakers' potential plans with Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. The executive believes that the Lakers will try to re-sign Russell and Hachimura this summer, while also keeping Jarred Vandebilt, Malik Beasley, Austin Reaves and Mo Bamba in the future.
"They would never have given up that pick unless they planned to make some long-term investments," the exec said to Heavy Sports.
"They were willing to trade it but they needed some guys just heading into their primes to convince them to give it up. Now they've got Russell, they've got Vanderbilt, they've got Malik Beasley, plus Hachimura, Austin Reaves. We’ll see what they do with Mo Bamba, too.
"That's a base of young players that they did not have before, you know, guys who are mid-20s. They're going to keep those guys in place. They're all in on paying those guys."
D'Angelo Russell will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, while Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves will be restricted free agents. Jarred Vanderbilt still has a contract for next season, and Mo Bamba is on a non-guaranteed deal.
Malik Beasley also has a team option for next season and the LA Lakers could exercise it. The same NBA executive believes that the Lakers have the leverage on players such as Russell and Hachimura.
The executive noted that Russell could be looking at an Anfernee Simons-type deal worth $100 million for four years. On the other hand, Hachimura could get a three-year, $40 million contract. Russell has not played consistently since becoming an All-Star in 2019, while Hachimura is not a shooter for his position.
As for Bamba, he could finally be given the opportunity to showcase himself as a starter or backup for Anthony Davis. Bamba never had the proper opportunity in Orlando given the glut of big men during his tenure there.
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Can the LA Lakers survive without LeBron James?
The LA Lakers will be without LeBron James for the next two weeks or even longer. James was diagnosed with a right foot injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, as per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
"The King" could also miss more time given the severity of his injury. The Lakers can't afford to lose more games, so Anthony Davis and the rest of the team will need to step up. They are looking to make the postseason, but it just became an even tougher goal.
The Western Conference has been really close, especially from the fourth spot down to the 13th spot. The Lakers are currently at No. 12 with a 29-33 record.
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