The Lakers have a lot of roster decisions to make in the coming months, but who should the team bring back next season?
The Lakers’ upcoming offseason is undoubtedly going to be exciting. They won’t have any say in some of the most important choices, such as D’Angelo Russell’s player option or LeBron James’ return.
The squad is also torn between two ideologies; during an offseason last summer during which they advocated for continuity, they were also frequently connected to players like Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young. All of that follows the Denver Nuggets’ second-consecutive elimination from the playoffs.
That raises the question of who this team should return for the following campaign. Let us examine each name on the roster individually.
Maxwell Lewis
The Lakers gambled by selecting two project players in the summer of last year. They produced nothing in the short term, even if it might have paid off in the long run. Lewis’s season was limited to garbage time minutes this year, so it’s difficult to predict his future.
That’s why I don’t think the Lakers should or would hesitate to dump Lewis in a trade to get it over the finish line.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed, but untouchable is a strong word.
This season, Max Christie Christie was dreadfully underutilized. Christie could have played in the postseason and helped the club out if the coaching staff had regularly given him minutes, given the flashes he displayed during the season.
However, there is an advantage to not playing him right now: when he hits the restricted free agency market, the Lakers shouldn’t have to choose between any significant offers that would make them uncomfortable. He should definitely return with the expectation of playing a larger part, since it appears highly plausible. Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Cam Reddish
One of those that the Lakers have no control over is this one. Reddish has a player option, and while it’s possible that he could decline it in the event that a new coach decides he doesn’t value him, the likelihood that he won’t receive an offer from another team that pays the veteran minimum is greater.
That being said, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Lakers attempted to salary dump them with second round choices, as is the case with a few players on minimum contracts. Reddish did not make an impression despite having far more opportunities than he deserved.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? No, but they actually have no influence over that.
Hayes, Jaxson
The answer would have been emphatically no if this had been posed halfway through the season. However, with an unexpectedly strong second half, I wouldn’t mind having Hayes back. He was a capable backup center who ought to have played more with Anthony Davis.
Will he decline the chance to hunt for a larger role, and if one is available to him on the open market? Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Dinwiddie Spencer
It never transpired the way the Lakers had anticipated Dinwiddie would when he arrived in Los Angeles. He never established a rhythm, which caused him to produce inconsistently and, when the playoffs rolled around, very little.
Many of the young guards the Lakers have on their roster should be around for the upcoming campaign. Giving them a chance would be preferable to running it back with Dinwiddie. Is it appropriate for him to come back? No.
Christian Wood
Since Wood is said to have already selected his player selection, this is kind of a moot point. In contrast, Hayes would have received a yes response if the question had been posed in the middle of the season. However, an injury and a dismal second half of the season altered his season.
He should be added to the prospective players who are benched to make place for newcomers. Is it appropriate for him to come back? No.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
JHS was already behind the eight ball due to a preseason injury, and he never made up ground. He did make a few appearances during non-garbage time, but they weren’t very attractive. Although there is cause for optimism going forward based on his excellent play in the G League, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was traded as a trade chip.
If he comes back, there should most likely be a more direct route to playing time. That occurs when D’Angelo Russell chooses not to continue or when a portion of the guard gridlock is released. Is it appropriate for him to come back? Yes, I still hold that belief.
Prince Taurean
The use of Prince from the previous season became a contentious topic and one of the season’s lightning rods for fans. When he finally found his best role, he proved why he was a terrific value acquisition at the time.
There’s always room for more 3-and-D wings. The Lakers ought to be amenable to his return if he is willing.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Vanderbilt, Jarred
Without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, I don’t think anyone should be completely untouchable. However, I would rank Vanderbilt and Reaves below them, where a really good deal is the only way they should be handled.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Vincent Gabe
It seems unfair to me to judge Vincent based on a season in which he appeared in just twelve games before being cut at the end of the campaign. Because of how unusual the previous season was, it’s difficult to draw many conclusions from it.
The team really needed a point of attack defender last season, so if he can be the defender the Lakers anticipated he would be, that in and of itself makes him significant.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Reaves, Austin
I truly have a lot of faith in Reaves, as I mentioned in the Vando part above, and I believe he should only be included in a trade for an absolute superstar. In addition to having a fantastic value contract, it will be difficult to duplicate the chemistry he shares with LeBron and AD.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Hachimura Rui
For Rui, this is a really fascinating area. On the one hand, I still believe he’s a young forward with the ability to create his own opportunities, which is difficult to come by in the league. On the other hand, following his troubles versus Denver, a number of serious questions have been raised.
It could be beneficial to move him into an off-the-bench role where he can concentrate more on scoring goals. However, I believe Rui would be extremely high on the list of people who may be moved if they had a bigger deal.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Most likely, although it wouldn’t be shocking if he was traded.
The Lakers’ upcoming offseason is undoubtedly going to be exciting. They won’t have any say in some of the most important choices, such as D’Angelo Russell’s player option or LeBron James’ return.
The squad is also torn between two ideologies; during an offseason last summer during which they advocated for continuity, they were also frequently connected to players like Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young. All of that follows the Denver Nuggets’ second-consecutive elimination from the playoffs.
That raises the question of who this team should return for the following campaign. Let us examine each name on the roster individually.
Maxwell Lewis
The Lakers gambled by selecting two project players in the summer of last year. They produced nothing in the short term, even if it might have paid off in the long run. Lewis’s season was limited to garbage time minutes this year, so it’s difficult to predict his future.
That’s why I don’t think the Lakers should or would hesitate to dump Lewis in a trade to get it over the finish line.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed, but untouchable is a strong word.
This season, Max Christie Christie was dreadfully underutilized. Christie could have played in the postseason and helped the club out if the coaching staff had regularly given him minutes, given the flashes he displayed during the season.
However, there is an advantage to not playing him right now: when he hits the restricted free agency market, the Lakers shouldn’t have to choose between any significant offers that would make them uncomfortable. He should definitely return with the expectation of playing a larger part, since it appears highly plausible. Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Cam Reddish
One of those that the Lakers have no control over is this one. Reddish has a player option, and while it’s possible that he could decline it in the event that a new coach decides he doesn’t value him, the likelihood that he won’t receive an offer from another team that pays the veteran minimum is greater.
That being said, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Lakers attempted to salary dump them with second round choices, as is the case with a few players on minimum contracts. Reddish did not make an impression despite having far more opportunities than he deserved.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? No, but they actually have no influence over that.
Hayes, Jaxson
The answer would have been emphatically no if this had been posed halfway through the season. However, with an unexpectedly strong second half, I wouldn’t mind having Hayes back. He was a capable backup center who ought to have played more with Anthony Davis.
Will he decline the chance to hunt for a larger role, and if one is available to him on the open market? Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Dinwiddie Spencer
It never transpired the way the Lakers had anticipated Dinwiddie would when he arrived in Los Angeles. He never established a rhythm, which caused him to produce inconsistently and, when the playoffs rolled around, very little.
Many of the young guards the Lakers have on their roster should be around for the upcoming campaign. Giving them a chance would be preferable to running it back with Dinwiddie. Is it appropriate for him to come back? No.
Christian Wood
Since Wood is said to have already selected his player selection, this is kind of a moot point. In contrast, Hayes would have received a yes response if the question had been posed in the middle of the season. However, an injury and a dismal second half of the season altered his season.
He should be added to the prospective players who are benched to make place for newcomers. Is it appropriate for him to come back? No.
JHS was already behind the eight ball due to a preseason injury, and he never made up ground. He did make a few appearances during non-garbage time, but they weren’t very attractive. Although there is cause for optimism going forward based on his excellent play in the G League, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was traded as a trade chip.
If he comes back, there should most likely be a more direct route to playing time. That occurs when D’Angelo Russell chooses not to continue or when a portion of the guard gridlock is released. Is it appropriate for him to come back? Yes, I still hold that belief.
Prince Taurean
The use of Prince from the previous season became a contentious topic and one of the season’s lightning rods for fans. When he finally found his best role, he proved why he was a terrific value acquisition at the time.
There’s always room for more 3-and-D wings. The Lakers ought to be amenable to his return if he is willing.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Vanderbilt, Jarred
Without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, I don’t think anyone should be completely untouchable. However, I would rank Vanderbilt and Reaves below them, where a really good deal is the only way they should be handled.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
Vincent Gabe
It seems unfair to me to judge Vincent based on a season in which he appeared in just twelve games before being cut at the end of the campaign. Because of how unusual the previous season was, it’s difficult to draw many conclusions from it.
The team really needed a point of attack defender last season, so if he can be the defender the Lakers anticipated he would be, that in and of itself makes him significant.
Is it appropriate for him to come back? Indeed.
