Author: Monojit Mandal
Despite their salary cap restrictions, the Los Angeles Lakers made great strides in what was considered an almost perfect NBA offseason. The Lakers management, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, has successfully recruited potential rotational players such as Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince and Jaxson Hayes. In addition, key players Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves were rehired.
Austin Reaves, a rising star averaging 13.0 points, 3 rebounds and 3.4 assists, was key to the Lakers’ triumph at the end of the season and in the playoffs. In fact, he was the team’s third best player, after LeBron James and Anthony Davis. According to recent sources, signing Reaves to a four-year, $53.8 million contract was a steal for Los Angeles.
Keeping Reaves was an important decision for the Lakers, as it allowed them to focus on re-signing D’Angelo Russell as their point guard, without spending too much on a free agent or sign-and-trade deal. Although Russell showed some limits against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, these concerns could be alleviated if Reaves replaces him as the team’s third offensive option, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
With Russell returning on a two-year, $37 million deal, plus the addition of players like Reddish and Hayes and the selection of Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick, the Lakers roster looks substantially better than it did at this time last year. However, according to Buha, the Lakers are far from finished.
Recent free agency moves, such as Mohamed Bamba joining the Philadelphia 76ers, have left Los Angeles with few options for pivots. While players like Bol Bol, Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are still available, the Lakers may decide to re-sign Tristan Thompson for another season. Thompson is known for his strong defensive skills, but his attacking contributions are minimal. However, the presence of Hayes behind Davis and the likely arrival of free agent Colin Castleton, provide depth and variety to the Lakers’ central position.
During a recent ESPN broadcast, Pelinka outlined the team’s plans for Hayes, describing him as a crucial piece of the Lakers’ rotation. In addition, early signs from summer league games indicate that Castleton could be a steal for Los Angeles, perhaps contributing as a big forward in the team’s rotation.
As a result, even if the Lakers decide not to re-sign Thompson, their center depth behind Davis will be substantially improved and more adaptable than last year. Given Davis’ history of injuries and missed time, this development is critical.
The Lakers will take their time to decide on Thompson, or any other big man, to complete their 14-man roster. His methodical approach comes from the fact that the Lakers have already enjoyed incredible success in the summer and want to make the best possible decision to strengthen their squad.