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After defying the odds and reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers proved to their doubters and critics that the storied franchise could contend for a title next season.
However, the Lakers have a lot of work to do to keep their roster intact or improve the squad in NBA free agency, which will get underway this weekend.
Two big question marks for Los Angeles right now are what the team will do with Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba, who both have team options for next season and can be used in trades if the team exercises those options.
D’Angelo Russell will become a free agent this summer with an uncertain future, and Bobby Marks of ESPN believes the team could part ways with all three players and bring back Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who are both restricted free agents, as seen in the tweet below via ClutchPoints.
“Lakers could potentially create roughly $17M in room if they let [Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba] and D’Angelo Russell go… I would expect [Austin] Reaves and [Rui] Hachimura back.”
Thoughts on this @BobbyMarks42‘s free agency forecast?
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/eClaGRDSAd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 27, 2023
All signs have pointed to the Lakers keeping Reaves, arguably the team’s top priority right now, and seriously entertaining the notion of inking Hachimura to a long-term deal.
As for Russell, the veteran guard did himself no favors during the NBA playoffs, as he struggled to make an impact through three rounds, which may be enough for the team to let him walk in free agency.
However, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he’s retained on a new deal, especially if Russell turns out not to have much of a market and is willing to take a short-term deal at a discount to stay in Los Angeles.
The post NBA Analyst Shares Prediction For 2 Top Lakers Free Agents appeared first on The Cold Wire.