The Lakers can retool and create a superteam in the smartest way this summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to be reeling from their exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, and they never really had a chance to win the series. Looking ahead, there are major doubts about their future when it comes to their head coach, Darvin Ham, who is on the hot seat, and most importantly, their players, including LeBron James.
Luckily, the Lakers can return next season and create a superteam this summer by retooling their roster. With these steps in order, the Lakers can keep their superstar players on the team and find a way to add some to the lineup in what can be considered the greatest offseason ever.
Select Bronny James In 2024 NBA Draft
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Armed with a 2024 first-round pick (17th) and even a second-round pick (55th) acquired from the LA Clippers, the Lakers possess a unique opportunity to select Bronny James, the son of their star player, LeBron James. Projected to be available in the second round but could be taken earlier, Bronny’s addition to the Lakers roster would not only fulfill LeBron’s long-standing desire to play alongside his son but also serve as a strategic move to ensure the continued presence of the King in Los Angeles.
Selecting Bronny offers a cost-effective investment in young talent with significant potential since the shooting guard is 6’4” and has nice athleticism and a decent jump shot. The prospect of LeBron and Bronny sharing the court creates an electric storyline that would undoubtedly captivate NBA fans and media alike, adding a layer of excitement and anticipation to the upcoming season. Crucially, keeping LeBron James content and committed is paramount to the Lakers’ success, and drafting Bronny could prove to be the key to achieving this goal.
LeBron James Re-Sign With The Lakers
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LeBron James has a player option worth $51,415,938 this summer, but clearly, The King will be looking for a more lucrative deal over the longer term instead of a one-and-done season. Bobby Marks did a fantastic job of breaking down how much LeBron can sign for whether he opts in or not.
Opting in and extending his contract (after August 18th) means he can end up with $54,285,000 in 2025-26 and $58,627,800 in 2026-27. Rejecting his player option and signing a three-year deal means James can accept a salary breakdown of $49,987,718 in 2024-25, $53,986,735 in 2025-26, and $57,985,752. The difference in these two scenarios also comes down to the fact that James can negotiate a no-trade clause by opting out but can’t do that by opting in.
Regardless of which option we see James take, deciding to stay in Los Angeles, not only secures his presence in Los Angeles but also bolsters the Lakers’ championship aspirations. Luckily for Lakers fans, the organization is more than interested in bringing him back on a long-term deal. Approaching his 40th birthday, LeBron continues to defy age, showcasing elite skills and athleticism that surpass many of his younger counterparts.
Averaging an impressive 24.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game this season, LeBron’s on-court prowess remains unmatched and he followed that up with averages of 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.
Beyond his statistical dominance, LeBron’s basketball acumen, leadership, and adaptability make him an invaluable asset to the Lakers’ roster. His decision to stay underscores his unwavering belief in the team’s ability to contend for the NBA title next year. If Rich Paul is correct in saying LeBron James has two or three years left in the tank, it isn’t impossible to believe that James remains until the 2026-27 campaign.
Trae Young Trade Scenario
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With LeBron and Bronny intact, the Lakers can focus their attention on building a superteam and the first order of business is negotiating a blockbuster deal for Trae Young.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap
Trae Young’s playmaking skills and uncanny ability to score from anywhere on the court have made him a target for teams seeking to bolster their championship aspirations, and he has been on the trading block for the past few months. With LeBron James and his son Bronny still in the fold, the Lakers possess a unique opportunity to harness Young’s talents.
The addition of Young would alleviate much of the ball-handling burden that has traditionally fallen on LeBron’s shoulders, affording him the luxury of operating more off the ball and conserving energy for crucial moments. Young’s court vision and knack for finding open teammates would unlock new dimensions in the Lakers’ offense, enabling seamless integration with LeBron and Anthony Davis. He averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game with only Dejounte Murray as his recognized star.
Moreover, Young’s presence would serve as a mentorship opportunity for Bronny James, providing him with invaluable insights into the intricacies of elite-level playmaking and leadership. As LeBron’s eventual successor, Bronny stands to benefit immensely from learning under the tutelage of a dynamic young talent like Young, whose trajectory as a franchise cornerstone aligns perfectly with the Lakers’ long-term ambitions.
With Young under contract until 2025-26 and still only 25 years old, he represents not only an immediate asset but also a cornerstone around which the Lakers can build their future once LeBron eventually retires. In essence, acquiring Trae Young isn’t just about bolstering the Lakers’ championship aspirations in the short term; it’s about laying the foundation for their franchise player in the future.
Zach LaVine Trade Scenario
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The Lakers can engage in one more bold move by targeting another All-Star player, Zach LaVine, to create a new Big Four capable of winning the NBA title next season.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent
Acquiring Zach LaVine would add another dynamic dimension to the Lakers’ offensive arsenal. Despite enduring a challenging season marred by injury as he only averaged 19.5 points per game on 34.9% from three in 25 games played, LaVine’s proven track record as a prolific scorer makes him an enticing target as a third or fourth option. Joining forces with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Trae Young, LaVine would slot seamlessly into the Lakers’ lineup.
LaVine’s ability to thrive as an off-ball shooter and excel in transition would perfectly complement the playing styles of his superstar teammates. His lethal three-point shooting prowess (career 38.2%), coupled with his explosiveness in the open court, would add a new dimension to the Lakers’ fast-break offense. Moreover, LaVine’s willingness to defer to his teammates and embrace an off-ball scoring role would enable the Lakers to distribute offensive responsibilities more evenly.
At just 29 years old, LaVine not only offers immediate impact but also represents a strategic investment in the Lakers’ long-term success. His combination of youth and elite-level production ensures that the Lakers can continue to compete at the highest level for years to come, and he can be part of an exciting backcourt in Los Angeles.
Possible Free Agency Moves
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With their Big Four in place and even a prospect like Bronny looking to improve on a title contender, the Lakers can replenish their departed assets with some new talent. Since they will have four players on max salaries, the Lakers will only be able to build their depth chart with veteran minimum or mid-level contracts.
For guards, the Lakers can bring back Spencer Dinwiddie on a minimum deal or look toward the likes of Kyle Lowry if he is interested in taking a pay cut to win a championship. Otherwise, the Lakers can target Alec Burks (38.3% 3-PT FG) or Malik Beasley (38.5% 3-PT FG) on team-friendly deals as they can space the floor from three.
The Lakers can also improve their frontcourt depth behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James by targeting natural small forwards or power forwards. Royce O’Neale is an obvious one since he defends at a high level and shot 37.0% from three this season, or Gordon Hayward can accept a team-friendly deal at 34 years old to bring some veteran presence. Jeff Green, Kevin Love, P.J. Tucker, and Nicolas Batum are all veterans who will accept minimum deals on a title contender or simply re-signing Taurean Prince works just as well.
In terms of centers, the Lakers can only pray that Jonas Valanciunas will want to win a title and accept a minimum deal. Otherwise, more realistic options include veterans Andre Drummond, Christian Wood, and Dario Saric while Precious Achiuwa is only 24 years old and brings athleticism to the frontcourt.
The Lakers need to prioritize signing a good center so that Anthony Davis can play at his natural position as a power forward. Based on this information, we will create the best team possible around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, including starting lineups and bench players.
Lakers New Roster For The 2024-25 NBA Season
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With their new Big Four and a depth chart of veterans and win-now players, the Lakers can create an entirely new roster in 2024-25 to win an NBA championship immediately. Assuming the Lakers can not strike completely big in free agency and go for the realistic options, here is what the roster can look like next year.
Starters: Trae Young, Zach LaVine, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jonas Valanciunas
Bench: Spencer Dinwiddie, Alec Burks, Bronny James, Taurean Prince, Gordon Hayward, Jeff Green, Andre Drummond
This roster is built for success. Obviously, the depth chart could change depending on who the Lakers decide to bring in but the goal is the same: bring back veterans and mid-level contracts to play around the new Big Four and prospect Bronny James. As long as the Lakers have their superteam and a roster built around defenders, bigs, and shooters, this team can win the championship in 2024-25 and even remain the favorites until 2026-27 when James is expected to retire.
No other team in the West can compare to what the Lakers can build and that includes the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. A superteam led by LeBron James has normally resulted in at least one NBA championship, so we can expect that to occur as soon as next season.
