The reasons behind why the Lakers should steer clear of these three potential trade deals in the 2024 offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers, coming off a fiery 2023-24 season, are preparing for a crucial offseason. They ended the regular season with a record of 47-35, placing 7th in the Western Conference. Despite a spirited performance, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, losing the series 4-1.
As the summer approaches, the Lakers face significant roster decisions, particularly with LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell both expected to decline their player options and enter free agency. LeBron, approaching 40, has a player option worth $51.4 million for the 2024-25 season. If he opts out, he’s expected to seek a new two-year contract worth around $50 million annually. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell’s player option stands at $18.6 million, and he might aim for a long-term deal in the range of $20-25 million annually.
Given LeBron’s limited time—potentially two, maybe three more seasons—the urgency for impactful changes is immense. Yet, amid a barrage of trade rumors, the Lakers must avoid certain pitfalls. Here, we examine three trade proposals that the Lakers should definitely steer clear of in the 2024 offseason to keep their championship aspirations alive.
