Pre-Draft Outlook
LeBron James and Anthony Davis gave the Lakers a pair of All-NBA-level results, yet this team couldn’t advance beyond the first round. To say the Lakers are on the clock is an understatement — LeBron will enter his 22nd season in 2024-25 and Davis, though healthy this season, has a rich injury history. There are assets on the roster that could fetch a decent return in a trade, though not D’Angelo Russell, who can become a free agent.
The Way To Go
This is such a complicated situation facing the Lakers. First: Do the Pelicans take the 17th overall pick — obtained in the Davis trade in 2019 — or defer it to 2025? (They must decide by June 1.) And, if they give the Lakers that pick, does L.A. use it on, say, Duke center Kyle Filipowski, or trade it for more immediate help? Then there’s the elephant in the room: Bronny James. Do they dare take him at 17, or hope he slides to 55? Drama awaits.
— Shaun Powell
Here’s a quick look at Los Angeles’ current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Jalen Hood-Schifino
G: Austin Reaves
G: D’Angelo Russell
G: Gabe Vincent
F: Rui Hachimura
F: Maxwell Lewis
F: Jarred Vanderbilt
Free Agents
G: Max Christie
G: Spencer Dinwiddie
G: Skylar Mays
G: D’Angelo Russell
F/G: Cam Reddish
F: LeBron James
F: Taurean Prince
F: Christian Wood
F/C: Harry Giles III
C/F: Jaxson Hayes
C: Colin Castleton
> 2024 Free Agent Tracker