Los Angeles Lakers had a great season of ups and downs in the 2022-23 edition. They have only themselves to blame for a poor start to the season. Moreover, the team had no balance in their roster. On top of that, there were multiple injury concerns. The Lakers were lingering at the bottom of the Western Conference when they were the 13th seed. But the front office of the Lakers had a successful time bringing quality players to fill the gaps right before the February trade deadline.
Moreover, the Lakers shocked everybody as they made the postseason with newfound balance in the roster. Additionally, they reached the Western Conference Finals. But the fans need to give credit to the players who came in February and changed the culture in the locker room. Moreover, the whole squad did a remarkable job in reaching the WCF. But in the offseason, the players and the front office will have to take tough calls. The fans would like to have the same team, but that is not possible. Many players are getting into free agency. Players like Dennis Schroder, D’Angelo Russell and so will become unrestricted free agents. Hence, they can sign with any team they want in free agency.
Dennis Schroder Not Sure If He Will Stay With Lakers In The Offseason
Moreover, the Lakers do not have the big cap space to bring star-level players for the long term. They have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who cover the cap space mostly. Hence, there is less than $30 million remaining, which is not enough. That is the reason why the Lakers have to trade some of the players who helped them turn things around since February. It won’t be easy but desperate times call for desperate measures. Hence, players like D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder will be unrestricted free agents and must be among the first few who will get traded. About Dennis Schroder, he joined the Lakers before the 2020-21 season. He was in the starting lineup in the previous season. Hence, he got more integral this 2022-23 season.
Moreover, Schroder mentioned, “On the fourth of July, we’ll decide where I’ll go. If I stay here, then the transition will be easier.” On top of playing for the Lakers, Dennis Schroder played for Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets as well. Apparently, Dennis Schroder had a pretty good season with the Lakers averaging 12.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 4.5 apg in 66 games. Moreover, he had an average of 41.5% shooting in 2022-23 season. The 29 year old German has a house in Los Angeles, California. But in his free agency, Schroder will have the right to sign with any team he likes. However, players who came in February, many of them will become free agents. But Mo Bamba has a non-guaranteed contract with Los Angeles Lakers. What will Lakers do with Bamba?
Mo Bamba Eager To Join Chicago Bulls
On the other hand, Mo Bamba, who came in February before the trade deadline, wants to move to Chicago. He could not play many matches for the Lakers as he was suffering from an ankle injury. But in the offseason, the Lakers anyway wants to use him as a package deal to sign some star-level players. Moreover, the package deal includes Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba, and the overall 17th pick of 2023. Meanwhile, the Lakers have a non-guaranteed contract with Mo Bamba. They will have time until June 29 to make a decision on Mo Bamba.
