Coming into the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have quite a few players on the roster, not just LeBron James and Austin Reaves, who are about to hit free agency. Throughout the season, head coach JJ Redick often spoke about the challenges that come with navigating a year where a good portion of the roster’s future is uncertain. But for the Lakers, there are two players in particular they see as crucial alongside Luka Doncic, as per Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Obviously Reaves, and then James, are going to need to be addressed, but when it comes to the rest of the team, the Lakers purportedly see Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes as the two other players whom they want to prioritize in free agency due to their on-court fit with Luka Doncic.
Both players are unrestricted free agents and Hachimura in particular is sure to draw plenty of interest on the open market. The former lottery pick is coming off one of the best seasons of his career that carried over into the playoffs.
The incoming eight-year veteran shot 44.3 percent from the 3-point line in the regular season, the second-highest mark of his career. During the postseason, he shot up to 56.9 percent from 3-point range to go along with a playoff career-high 17.5 points.
With Hayes, it could seem a little surprising the Lakers would prioritize him, unless you’re aware of the role he played this past season. The big man closed out several games this year in place of Deandre Ayton, and he’s developed strong on-court chemistry with Doncic, perhaps more so than any other player on the roster.
The former Texas standout knows his role and plays it to perfection. And it’s likely going to be relatively inexpensive to re-sign him. For a reserve center who has shown he can be on the floor late in the fourth quarter, the Lakers aren’t going to find many other options available.
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