Lakers free agent targets 2023 are Kyrie Irving, Fred VanVleet, James Harden, Austin Reaves, Jordan Clarkson and Draymond Green.
As the 2022-23 season draws to a close, the team faces some pressing roster needs and will need to target free agents to bolster their chances of contending for the NBA Championship in the coming years.
Despite weak regular season performances in the 2022-23 campaign, they reached the Western Conference Finals beating Golden State Warriors.
But unfortunately, the Lakers failed miserably against the Denver Nuggets, horrendously losing the series 4-0 which ended their 2022-23 season.
The Lakers will have several key players entering free agency in the summer of 2023, including the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley.
While LeBron James is under contract for one more season, they need to make moves to surround him with a strong supporting cast if they hope to contend for a championship.
Lakers Potential Offseason Moves
Lakers offseason moves will be focused on adding some quality players such as Kyrie Erving, James Harden and Jordan Clarkson to the roster.
Besides, they will also have the option to re-sign some of their own free agents, including the 25-year-old shooting guard Austin Reaves, and the Lakers G league prospect Scotty Pippen Jr. who plays for the South Bay Lakers.
With several NBA free agents this summer in the market, the following players could be valuable contributors to the LA Lakers squad.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is a 31-year-old point guard who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. The idea of Irving and James' reunion isn't new anymore.
Since 2022, Lakers fans have been eagerly hoping for the exciting possibility of LeBron and Kyrie joining forces again. Their wishes may finally be fulfilled during the upcoming summer transfer season, bringing their long-awaited dreams to life.
LeBron and Kyrie previously played together for three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and even won a championship together in 2016.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green has teased his possible farewell to the Golden State Warriors. After an impressive 11-year tenure with the team, during which they secured four NBA championships, Green is now exploring opportunities as an NBA free agent this summer.
Interestingly, rumors have already connected him to the Los Angeles Lakers. What adds to the intrigue is Draymond's close affinity with LeBron James, who is also represented by the same sports agency, Klutch Sports.
Green has been quite open about his friendship with James, and the strong bond they share off the court could potentially translate into effective on-court chemistry if they were to team up.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet is another elite scorer who could be a great fit for the Lakers. The 2019 NBA champion can be a reliable option on offense.
Should LA fail to seize the opportunity to secure Kyrie Irving, they could undoubtedly set their sights on the 29-year-old prodigy who has consistently exhibited unparalleled brilliance for the Toronto Raptors since he arrived in 2016.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. In his two seasons with the club, Reaves has appeared in 142 NBA games.
As the summer transfer approaches, the Lakers face the possibility of losing Reaves, who is entering restricted free agency. If the Lakers allow Reaves to leave without a contract, it could be a decision they deeply regret for many years ahead.
James Harden
James Harden is a name that needs no introduction for basketball fans. The 76ers' point guard is likely to become a free agent this summer.
If Harden decides not to accept his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season, his days at the Philadelphia 76ers will be done for good.
However, it is good news for the Lakers as they could sign him which would give James a break and add another player who can handle the ball for the team.
Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson is a former Laker who played for the team for four seasons from 2014-18. Clarkson started in all 79 games he played in the 2015-16 season.
The Lakers could consider giving another opportunity to their former guard, Jordan Clarkson, who has shown significant improvement since leaving Los Angeles in 2018.
If the Lakers are searching for an athletic player who is currently performing at their best and comes at a reasonable price, Clarkson would be a suitable choice.
Lakers Unrestricted Free Agents 2023
The LA Lakers unrestricted free agents in 2023 are:
- D'Angelo Russell
- Dennis Schroder
- Lonnie Walker IV
- Malik Beasley
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Wenyen Gabriel
Before the Lakers can start pursuing free agents, they need to evaluate their current roster and identify areas of need. Six of their current squad players are on the verge of becoming unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2023.
The 27-year-old point guard D'Angelo Russell is forcing his way out of the club and might locate a new club in the next few months. Glancing at his history, switching teams is something he has done frequently.
Selected by the Lakers in the 2015 NBA draft, Russell left the club after only two seasons and joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. Then he had a brief stint at the Golden State Warriors before moving to the Timberwolves in 2020.
Russell returned to the LA Lakers in February 2023, through a trade involving the Utah Jazz and two other teams. However, he is already seeking his way out and it could be the Toronto Raptors where he heads next.
Another Lakers small forward Lonnie Walker IV might also bid farewell to the club, given they do not offer him a new improved contract by the end of the 2022-23 season.
Walker signed with the Lakers in July 2022 in a one-year deal worth $6,479,000 using the Free Agent/Mini MLE approach. The 24-year-old stud played four seasons under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs after being drafted in 2018.
Similarly, Troy Brown Jr. another brilliant youngster in the Lakers squad could also have played his last game for the club. LA welcomed the 23-year-old center as a fringe player in 2022.
Troy made the starting lineup in 45 regular season games in 2022-23 and came off the bench for 12 playoff games.
Lakers Restricted Free Agents
Restricted free agents from the Lakers in 2023 include three players Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Scotty Pippen Jr.
In terms of terminology and meaning, many might not have an idea of what separates Restricted free agents from unrestricted ones.
Restricted free agents are players who have completed their rookie contracts and are eligible to sign with any team in the NBA. However, their original team has the right to match any offer sheet they receive from another team.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves was signed by the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Reaves made his NBA debut in October 2021 against the Phoenix Suns.
Having played for two college basketball teams, Oklahoma and Wichita State, Austin decided to enter the 2021 NBA Draft only to be not picked by any team.
After not being selected the young player joined the Los Angeles Lakers on August 3, 2021. They gave him a contract that allowed him to split his time between the Lakers and their minor league team.
But then, on September 27, the Lakers decided to offer him a regular contract, meaning he could exclusively play for the Lakers.
Reaves' current contract with the Lakers ends in the summer of 2023 and if they do not offer him a new contract, he could become a restricted free agent.
Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura is another youngster who could wave goodbye to the Lakers by the end of the 2022-23 season.
Born in Toyama, Japan, the 25-year-old power forward was a 1st round pick in the 2019 draft by the Washington Wizards. Since signing for the Wizards, Hachimura has been a solid player and won the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in his debut year.
He started in 125 games for Washington in his three years stay at the club before moving to the Lakers in January 2023.
Scotty Pippen Jr.
Scotty Pippen Jr. joined the Lakers in 2022 as an Unrestricted Free Agency (UFA). Jr Pippen is the son of former NBA champion Scottie Pippen.
After three season playing in NCAA basketball with the Vanderbilt Commodores he listed his name to the 2022 NBA Draft. But sadly, Scotty Jr went undrafted and the Lakers picked him up.
Right away, the Lakers transferred him to their affiliated G League team South Bay Lakers. Scotty Pippern Jr was selected to participate in the G League's first-ever Next Up Game for the 2022-23 season.
