SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 31 Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
After a brutal 2021-22 campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers will shift their focus to the offseason as they look to leap back into contention next season.
It is far from controversial to say that the purple and gold have an abundance of issues to address, starting with their head coach after they relieved Frank Vogel once the season ended. Along with a search for a new coach, Los Angeles also has plenty of roster decisions to make with soon-to-be free agents and players that could be on the trading block this offseason.
With all that said, let us take a look at five roster moves the Los Angeles Lakers must make this offseason as they attempt to retool ahead of next season.
Moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make this offseason: Pick up the team option on Austin Reaves
In what was an overall gloomy season, Austin Reaves proved to be one bright spot for the Lakers. The undrafted rookie quickly carved out a role in LA’s rotation and played a key part in any success they had as the shooting guard averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. Appearing in 61 games, including 19 starts, Reaves made a name for himself in LA, and they will now have to make a decision on his future in what should be a relatively easy choice.
Right now, Reaves has a club option for the 2022-23 season worth $1.6 million, and picking it up seems like a no-brainer. The guard showed glimpses of potential throughout his rookie campaign, and the Lakers should look to keep developing him alongside their core pieces.
Reaves could be a quality contributor down the line, and with his affordable salary for next season, the Lakers should not have an issue with keeping him on board. One of the biggest criticisms directed at Los Angeles this year was that they had too many veterans and not enough young players on their roster, and keeping the 23-year-old Reaves can keep some youth in the mix.
The Los Angeles Lakers should and likely will pick up Reaves’ team option the moment they can.
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