Los Angeles Lakers look happy with the current roster and plans to extend their stay in the coming summer.
LA Lakers’ fortune turned downward after COVID hit the 2020 NBA season. They clearly failed to reach the postseason in 2021. Moreover, this year, the Lakers are set on the same path. The struggle began right from the start of the season and never really ended. Clearly, the situation worsened over time to the extent that the Lakers are on the verge of playoff elimination for the second time in a row.
However, the front office did try to do some damage control during February’s trade window. They made multiple high-risk trades with an eye on the future. Further, Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka’s gamble worked perfectly as the new roster provided much-needed balance and gelled in quickly with the lead veterans. The new lineup further produced desired results and managed to keep the Lakers alive in the playoff race. Additionally, the Lakers plan to extend this new set of players’ stay in Hollywood.
Rui Hachimura Likely To Extend His Stay In LA
Power forward Rui Hachimura booked a seat in the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup during the trade window. He was traded from Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks. The forward immediately left an impact and showed steady growth. His numbers do not do justice to his potential, as he has had limited game time with Hollywood. Presently, he is averaging 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 48.1 from the floor and 35.8 from deep. Nonetheless, the purple and gold see a future star in him and are ready to sign him for a longer period of time.
When the Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura, they clearly intended that Rui would get an extension contract in the summer off-season. Meanwhile, Jovan Buha of The Athletic provided more details on a HoopsHype podcast. He suggested that Rui could get an offer of around $10 million a year’s worth of contract. Jovan, however, feels that if the forward feels he is more valuable than that and if the rival teams are ready with an offer, the Lakers would not mind walking away. For Hachimura, the purple and gold are an elite team with star players who could potentially help him shape better for the future. Hence, both parties are likely to have a detailed conversation before reaching a consensus.
Lakers Likely To Accept Malik Beasley’s Team Option Contract
LA Lakers signed a trio of D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a huge three-team trade deal. Malik Beasley has a $16.5 million contract with a team option for next season, which the Lakers are considering showing a green flag to. Beasley arrived as a blessing at a time when the purple and gold struggled due to the lack of a shooter.
Malik Beasley took it upon himself and scored over 20 points three consecutive times so far, with a shooting percentage of 35% from deep. In a previous matchup against the Pelicans, Malik scored seven three-pointers in the second half of the game. Hence, Jovan Buha feels the Lakers do not have a like-for-like replacement and is likely to accept his team option deal.