The Lakers' season is over.
One year after being swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, Denver dropped Los Angeles in five games in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Time is ticking on these Lakers' chances to add another championship to its trophy case. Anthony Davis is still in his prime and just had his healthiest season, but LeBron James is turning 40 next year. James also faces a massive decision on a player option this offseason, which could alter the franchise's trajectory if he elects to test free agency.
What's next for the Lakers after a disappointing outcome in the postseason? The Sporting News breaks down their pivotal offseason below.
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Key storyline: LeBron James' looming player option
There is no bigger storyline this NBA offseason than James' $51.4 million player option.
Even entering his age-40 season next year, James is undeniably still one of the best players in the league. He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a career-best 41.0 percent from 3 this season. He also appeared in 71 games, his most since he played all 82 in 2017-18.
After reaffirming that Father Time has not gotten to him yet, James will be expected to sign another lucrative contract. It just comes down to how much longer he wants to play and where he wants to finish his career.
"I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left. I know it's not that many," James said ahead of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in February before ambiguously addressing his future with the Lakers.
"I am a Laker. I've been very happy being a Laker the last six years and hopefully it stays that way," James told the media.
"But I don't have the answer to how long it is or which uniform I'll be in. Hopefully, it is with the Lakers. It's a great organization and so many greats, but we'll see."
James has said several times that he intends to stick around the NBA long enough to play with his eldest son, Bronny. The expectation was that would be during the 2024-25 season, but after an up-and-down freshman year, that pathway isn't as clear.
The star freshman announced that he would test the 2024 NBA Draft waters while maintaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal to leave that door open. If Bronny stays in the NBA Draft and ends up somewhere other than Los Angeles, that could be a wild card in James' free-agency decision.
Bronny could also get drafted (or signed as an undrafted free agent) by the Lakers, or elect to return to college. Those are just a few external factors that could impact LeBron's crucial contract decision.
MORE: Will Bronny James get drafted in 2024?
Lakers upcoming free agents
Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince are unrestricted free agents. Colin Castleton, Max Christie and Skylar Mays are all restricted free agents.
The Lakers will await player option decisions for James ($51.4 million), D'Angelo Russell ($18.7 million), Christian Wood ($3 million), Jaxson Hayes ($2.5 million) and Cam Reddish ($2.5 million). They have no players with team options.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Player option | Team option |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | Colin Castleton | Jaxson Hayes | None |
| Taurean Prince | Max Christie | LeBron James | |
| Skylar Mays | Cam Reddish | ||
| D'Angelo Russell | |||
| Christian Wood |
Lakers future salaries, roster
The Lakers' five player options will dictate how much spending money they have this offseason.
Beyond those rotation players, they have Davis signed through 2027 (with a player option for 2027-28), Rui Hachimura signed through 2026, Austin Reaves signed through 2026 (with a player option for 2026-27), Gabe Vincent signed through 2026 and Jarred Vanderbilt signed through 2027 (with a player option for 2027-28).
| Player | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
| LeBron James | $51.4M (PO) | UFA | |||
| Anthony Davis | $43.2M | $54.3M | $58.6M | $63M (PO) | UFA |
| D'Angelo Russell | $18.7M (PO) | UFA | |||
| Rui Hachimura | $17M | $18.3M | UFA | ||
| Austin Reaves | $13M | $14M | $14.9M (PO) | UFA | |
| Gabe Vincent | $11M | $11.5M | UFA | ||
| Jarred Vanderbilt | $10.7M | $11.6M | $12.4M | $13.3M (PO) | UFA |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | $3.9M | $4.1M (TO) | $6.2M (TO) | RFA | |
| Christian Wood | $3M (PO) | UFA | |||
| Jaxson Hayes | $2.5M (PO) | UFA | |||
| Cam Reddish | $2.5M (PO) | UFA | |||
| Maxwell Lewis | $1.9M | $2.2M (NG) | $2.4M (TO) | UFA |
PO = Player option
TO = Team option
NG = Non-guaranteed
UFA = Unrestricted free agent
RFA = Restricted free agent
Lakers 2024 NBA Draft picks
The Pelicans own the Lakers' 2024 first-round draft pick, but New Orleans has the option to defer it to 2025 if it chooses. Given that it will likely be at the back end or outside of the lottery in a weaker class, expect Los Angeles to retain its pick.
In my post-NCAA Tournament Mock Draft, I had the Lakers targeting Duke freshman Jared McCain with the No. 14 overall pick.
"If Los Angeles is on the clock, look for it to target backcourt depth behind D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. McCain fits a need as a connective playmaker with a 3-and-D skill set that should seamlessly translate to the NBA. Even though he is only a 20-year-old freshman, McCain plays with poise and confidence that is beyond his age."
The Lakers also have a second-round pick via the Clippers.
If Bronny decides to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft, don't be surprised if his agent and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul pulls some strings to assure LeBron's son ends up in purple and gold.
