A primary goal for the Lakers this offseason will be signing Anthony Davis to an extension, Brian Windhorst of ESPN said earlier this week on Get Up (YouTube link).
As Windhorst notes, Davis won’t be extension-eligible until August, at which point the Lakers could offer him a three-year contract worth a projected $167.5MM. If the two sides can’t reach an agreement on a new deal, Davis could enter unrestricted free agency in 2024 if he declines his $43.2MM player option for 2024/25.
At this time, Windhorst also believes the Lakers will continue on their stated path of re-signing their own key free agents — including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura — instead of creating cap room in pursuit of Kyrie Irving. Windhorst thinks the mostly outcome for Irving is re-signing with the Mavericks, noting that they can pay him much more money than L.A. can.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Guard D’Angelo Russell‘s stock seems to have taken a hit after a poor showing in the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension (he’s eligible for a two-year deal). While he might not be the Lakers’ top priority, ESPN’s Zach Lowe suggested on his podcast that a reunion may still be in the cards (hat tip to RealGM). “I actually think there are corners of the organization that would still like D’Angelo Russell back just because they have a void at that position,” Lowe said. “They need a point guard.” Jovan Buha of The Athletic said last week that he thought Russell would most likely end up back in L.A., perhaps on a two- or three-year deal worth around $20MM annually, though it’s far from a lock.
- Chris Paul‘s uncertain status with the Suns has rivals speculating about his future, and the Lakers are atop the list of his possible suitors, multiple league executives tell Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. “Lakers first,” one Eastern Conference GM texted. “It’s not definite, a lot can happen. But you’d have to start there. He always had (the) dream of being a Laker (and) playing with LBJ (LeBron James).” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski recently cited the Lakers as a potential destination as well, noting that Paul lives in Los Angeles during the offseason.
- The Lakers will be hosting a pre-draft workout on Thursday, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The six featured prospects are D’Moi Hodge (Missouri), Caleb McConnell (Rutgers), JT Shumate (Toledo), Logan Johnson (Saint Mary’s), Damion Baugh (TCU) and Matthew Mayer (Illinois). The Lakers currently control two picks in the 2023 NBA draft, Nos. 17 and 47.
As great as he can be when healthy, that’s a lot of green for a man nicknamed “Streetclothes”.
I’m partial to day-to-Davis
Ain’tready Davis
I feel the same about CP3.
Chris Paul being on the board means D’Angelo Russell will have to wait before ANY type of offer is given by the Lakers.
Can you put Anthony Davis and Chris Paul on the same roster with the injury histories?
He should clear waivers. Phoenix may just be renegotiating and adding years to his deal. Not sure they can upgrade PG slot over him.
Im not sure a team with Booker/Durant has much use of CP3
I dont think Pauls cooked but his greatest asset (today) is probably organizing an offense that needs organizing. That’s not Book/KD … The more I ponder this waive the more I think its just fit based. Phx needs health, defense and an occasional wide open 3 in that order from the PG/not Cp3
Where’s Mario Chalmers when ya need him, JeVon Cater would be nice here present day
If you are correct then he will finally be a Laker. I don’t see Chris Paul heading off to a PG-needy team like the Bulls, even though he would improve them into a playoff team.
Free agency just aint what it used to be…
LAL have a “primary goal” this off season of extending AD? To me, he has the perfect contract right now. AD’s LAL value is tied to LBJ being there. Both are locked into next season, and have player options for 2024-25. I would think they’d want to at least ponder the possibility of a rebuild if LBJ leaves. Of course, they might think AD, even going on 32 and making 55 mm per year, is a better rebuild asset than cap space. Today, that might be correct. I’d still wait.
The smart move for the Lakers would be to see how this upcoming season plays out … and then decide on whether or not to extend. Once you extend, you have a past his prime AD, with a vast injury history, making SuperMax money. No shot at winning. No shot at trading the contract.
Lakers are all about the Bron window. It’s now or never. So all moves are tied into that. Chris can help. But it’s got to be off the bench. But he can do that in Phoenix too. Chris strength and fit is about managing his mins during the season. So he will be strong for the playoffs. Look what Lowry is doing off the bench. Chris can do that for two yrs. He gives you strong depth with experience. He could mentor DRuss. You sign Russell cheap.
You assume Chris Paul wants to go to the Lakers. he is going to want to go to the team that he can win a championship with. there are many teams that give him a better chance to win. This year the free agent market is wide open.
So, you believe a team that finished in final 4 can’t win the title next season
Everyone is signing with lakers! Lol. Go nuggets