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Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup
- Western Pacific
- Stadium
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has reportedly not been involved in the team's search for a new head coach. It has been suggested that he has a major influence on the franchise's decisions. However, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, James is "staying clear" of the coaching search. The Lakers appeared to have found their man last week, but UConn's head coach, Dan Hurley, rejected the job. A recent report for Charania noted that the team is "zeroing" in on James' podcast partner and player-turned-analyst JJ Redick, while James Borrego, the current associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, also remains an option.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to seek a trade for forward Rui Hachimura. The 2019 No. 9 overall pick averaged a career-high 13.6 points in 2023-24. He also played 68 games, the most since entering the league. There will likely be a market for Hachimura, who has two years left on his contract. With that in mind, he could be even more productive with a new team if given routine minutes.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince hopes to ink a new deal with the team. He signed a one-year, $4.5 million pact last offseason and wants to extend his stay in L.A. "My family, the quality of life in Los Angeles is something that myself and my family haven't had in probably three or four seasons," Prince told Lakers Nation. "So to stay here would be definitely number one. If not that, then I mean, wherever the dominoes fall and wherever it's best, that's where I'll be. But I for sure want to be a Laker, 100 percent." Despite starting 49 times in 78 appearances and averaging 27.0 minutes, Prince didn't do much that pops out on the box score in 2023-24. He averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range.
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes Sports, the Phoenix Suns "are hoping to pursue" LeBron James this offseason. While the multi-time MVP still needs to decline his $51.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers, it appears more likely that he will test the open market over the summer. Of course, the Suns don't have the cash to offer James a lucrative deal, meaning he would need to consider taking significantly less if he hopes to team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. But he has made plenty of money throughout his career, so adding another championship to his resume could be a selling point. The Suns reportedly view Bronny James as "a very serious draft option," which could help Phoenix in their quest to add the NBA's All-Time leading scorer.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell is drawing interest from the Orlando Magic. The 28-year-old is coming off a quality season, averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. He also shot a career-high 41.5% from deep. He can earn nearly $19 million if he accepts his player option. But if Russell wants to test the market, the Magic could look to add some stability to their backcourt, something the team desperately needs. From a fantasy standpoint, he's expected to remain a reliable option no matter where he ends up, although injuries have sometimes overshadowed his play throughout his career.