The Lakers took a big risk at the trade deadline.
Not only did Los Angeles shake up the roster in the hopes of making the playoffs, but it also acquired a number of players set to be free agents this offseason, making them potential rentals.
The front office's moves paid off, as the Lakers advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals. Now, the pressure is on Rob Pelinka and his staff to figure out which of those players they will bring back to give LeBron James and Anthony Davis another shot at winning a championship together.
Which free agents will the Lakers retain this summer? Here's what you need to know about the decisions management has to make.
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Full list of Lakers free agents 2023
The Lakers could have as many as 10 free agents in the offseason.
D'Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder will be unrestricted free agents, while Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura will be restricted free agents. Additionally, the Lakers will have a decision to make with Malik Beasley, who has a team option in his contract for next season.
Here's the full list of the team's free agents:
| Player | Position | Free agency type | Age |
| D'Angelo Russell | PG | Unrestricted | 27 |
| Dennis Schroder | PG | Unrestricted | 29 |
| Scotty Pippen Jr. | PG | Restricted | 22 |
| Malik Beasley | SG | Team option | 26 |
| Lonnie Walker IV | SG | Unrestricted | 24 |
| Austin Reaves | SG | Restricted | 25 |
| Troy Brown Jr. | SF | Unrestricted | 23 |
| Rui Hachimura | PF | Restricted | 25 |
| Tristan Thompson | C | Unrestricted | 32 |
| Wenyen Gabriel | C | Unrestricted | 26 |
Unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any team. Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet with any team, but their original team can retain them by matching the offer sheet.
Ranking the Lakers' top free agents of 2023
1. Austin Reaves, SG
Nobody could have seen Reaves becoming this player when he went undrafted two years ago.
After coming off the bench for most of his sophomore season, Reaves played a key role in the Lakers making the Western Conference Finals, establishing himself as a full-time starter and legitimate third option next to James and Davis.
His combination of size, shooting, playmaking and defense is going to earn him a big contract as a restricted free agent.
2. D'Angelo Russell, PG
Russell's second go-around with the Lakers ended on a sour note — he scored in single digits in three of the team's last four playoff games and was eventually bumped from the starting lineup — but he was solid for them overall.
A 36.2 percent career 3-point shooter, Russell's ability to space the floor at a respectable level made him a smoother fit than Russell Westbrook. He's also a capable playmaker, dishing out 6.1 assists per game with the Lakers during the regular season.
3. Rui Hachimura, PF
Like Reaves, the postseason was Hachimura's coming-out party.
He kicked off the 2023 NBA Playoffs with back-to-back 20-point games, making him the first Laker to score 20 points off the bench in consecutive playoff games since Magic Johnson. He then had moments defensively against Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals while still giving the Lakers a scoring punch.
Hachimura's play earned some praise from Johnson, who called him and Reaves "emerging stars." The Lakers are said to be "determined" to re-sign the two in free agency.
4. Dennis Schroder, PG
Schroder remains a blur who can get into the paint and harass opposing ball handlers with his length and speed.
Even with his jump shot still being inconsistent, he's shown that he can be a valuable player in the right role.
5. Malik Beasley, SG
Beasley went from being a part-time starter for the Lakers during the regular season to being out of the rotation in the playoffs.
Still, he's a proven shooter who can get hot. If the Lakers decline his team option, he would draw interest from teams in need of 3-point shooting.
6. Lonnie Walker IV, SG
Walker's role was also reduced in the playoffs, but he put together a signature performance when he scored 15 points in the fourth quarter of a Game 4 win over the Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals.
His athleticism and shooting potential make him an interesting role player.
