Lakers Looking For Lebron James Replacements

As LeBron James enters the final season of his current contract, the Los Angeles Lakers need to start thinking and preparing for their future without the all-time leading scorer. James's future is uncertain, as he does have a player option for one extra year with the Lakers, but there are no hints that he is looking to extend.

It has been widely known for several years that LeBron's goal is to play alongside his son Bronny, who is eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, and he could sign with any team in the league if he chooses to. On the contrary, it is possible that any season from now could be LeBron's last, including this upcoming one. This will be his 21st NBA season, which is one shy of the all-time record, and he may just feel too old to perform to his standards and retire at any moment. This was clearly evident after his loss in the conference finals last season when he teased retirement.

LeBron James teases retirement following Lakers being swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals 😬 pic.twitter.com/VuJ5rBIOZ0— Pick Swap Media (@PickSwapMedia) May 23, 2023

With all of this in mind, here are some of the options the Lakers have as potential LeBron replacements.


Existing lakers players

It is clear that the Lakers are already looking at Anthony Davis to lead them going forward, with reports of him becoming the new team leader on and off the court. He is the second-longest-tenured Laker after LeBron James, so it makes sense that he would become the next in line to take over the reins in that regard. However, in terms of production, someone else will have to step in.

Davis and LeBron already play the majority of their minutes together, so a replacement will have to be a player or players who can come in and take up the minutes that LeBron would normally play if he does leave at the end of the summer.

To start with, Austin Reaves can take up some of the offensive responsibilities, as proven in his starring role for Team USA this summer at the FIBA World Cup. He had his breakout year last season with the Lakers and earned valuable minutes deep into the Lakers' playoff run. At 25 years old, he is still young enough to play several years for the Lakers and has yet to reach his prime, which is why the Lakers were so keen to sign him to a $54 million extension this summer.


Another player who could step up is Rui Hachimura. Hachimura also earned an extension worth over $50 million this summer. He was traded from Washington to the Lakers, and while his statistics diminished due to him taking a lesser role, he showed signs of potential, especially in the Western Conference Finals series against the Nuggets, where he averaged 33.5 minutes per game.


Trade Targets

The Lakers now have a plethora of valuable assets and aren't shy to trade for superstars, as proven when they acquired Anthony Davis in a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans back in 2019. Here are some potential superstars who could be brought in to take LeBron's place.

Zach LaVine is the first player to consider. While he has not quite reached the level of an All-NBA player yet, he is a multiple-time All-Star and has an explosive offensive skillset that has improved year upon year during his time in Chicago. He is no longer just the highlight-reel dunker that we remember from his early seasons in Minnesota and now has a full array of weapons, including a lethal 3-point shot, which he made at 39.4% over the last three years combined.

This is also a realistic trade scenario, as LaVine has been linked with the Lakers several times over the last few seasons. With the Chicago Bulls facing an impending rebuild any season now, LaVine will surely be traded away within the coming year or two.


Another All-Star who has been linked with several trades to the Lakers is Hawks guard Trae Young. While the direction of the Hawks is lesser known than the Bulls, what we do know is that since their surprising Eastern Conference finals run, Young and the Hawks have failed to make an impact during the playoffs and have not won a single series in the two years since.

What Young brings to the table, which is different from other potential candidates, is his ability to fill the playmaking void left by LeBron. He has averaged 9.3 assists per game for his career and managed 10.2 per game last season. With other scorers such as Reaves, Prince, and Davis on the roster currently, playmaking is one area in which, without LeBron, the Lakers are lacking.


Free Agency Signings

The third option for the Lakers is to try and sign a marquee talent via free agency. This is the easiest and most likely option as the Lakers would not have to give away any assets in return for their star, and they have a wider selection, as all out-of-contract or expiring contracted players enter the free agency pool.

The first name to consider would be California native Demar DeRozan. He has long hinted at wanting to play for the Lakers after supporting them as a kid. Even though the opportunities have passed him by thus far, DeRozan will always be linked with a move to Los Angeles.

DeRozan has been one of the most consistent scorers of the last decade, averaging over 20 points for the last 10 straight seasons. He also holds claim to the most 2-point field goals scored over this period. He has proven to be an efficient first option on offense for the Raptors, Spurs, and Bulls continuously. To come in as a replacement for James, playing behind Davis, who will be the team's first option, puts the Lakers in a great position offensively.

Over the last Decade Derozan leads in the league in 2 point field goals🤯

Keeping the Mid-Range alive pic.twitter.com/jLituW5mBC— DeRozanMuse(0-0) (@demar_muse) September 12, 2023

One final option is to sign Pascal Siakam. He has not necessarily been involved with direct links to the Lakers before like other players mentioned, but he is a superstar who is possibly available very soon, as the Raptors currently have no clear direction. After losing starting guard Fred VanVleet to free agency this summer and missing out on the Damian Lillard trade that was rumored, the Raptors look to be at their worst since winning the Championship in 2019.

Siakam is far too great a player to waste time in a rebuild and may look to leave soon with his team nowhere near championship contention. While LeBron is impossible to completely replicate, Siakam is the closest to fully emulating what LeBron brings to the Lakers. Last season, Pascal did a little of everything, averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, which is almost identical to the historic statline that LeBron has recorded for so many years. Siakam also stands out defensively compared to the other mentioned replacements and, as the best two-way player, could be the best option for the Lakers going forward.


Credits
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