Lakers News: Multiple LA Guards Placed Among Top 2023 Free Agents

A prominent NBA insider put a Lakers guard duo in his list of top 2023 free agents

The 2023 offseason is shaping up to be an intriguing summer for the Los Angeles Lakers, as LA looks to build on a surprising playoff run that ended in the Western Conference Finals, while simultaneously having to decide which combination of a deluge of impending free agents to try to bring back.

The Lakers have plenty of prominent players that will hit the market on July 1, two of those being Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell.

Reaves had an excellent season and was key throughout the playoff run, averaging 17 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game this postseason while establishing himself as the capable three point threat that the Lakers sorely needed, hitting 44 percent from deep.

His performances come at the perfect time for Reaves, as he looks to cash in with a hefty offer sheet this offseason.

Somewhat on the other side of that spectrum is D'Angelo Russell.

Russell put in some quality work during the regular season in his second go-round with the Lakers, but couldn't repeat that same production in the playoffs, leading to him losing his spot in the starting five in the midst of Los Angeles' series loss to the Nuggets.

As for where they stack up heading into this summer, The Athletic's John Hollinger placed both on his list of the top free agents in 2023 -- although the order may be a surprise.

Hollinger put Russell at the number seven spot on his rundown, while placing Reaves in the number 12 slot, saying the following about the Lakers' point guard.

This high a valuation for Russell may surprise some people, but despite Russell’s shortcomings as a defender and penetrator, few can match his skill level from middle distance and the 3-point line. Russell shot insanely well this season, with his 54.8 percent mark on 2s being notable for a guard who rarely gets to the rim and his 39.6 percent from 3 a career best. (via The Athletic's John Hollinger)

Those comments about Russell certainly ring true, but his performance against Denver in the playoffs may have put a damper on his value in my opinion.

As for Reaves, he sees the Lakers being able to afford him, despite his run raising his free agent value.

The good news for the Lakers is that their cap sheet can handle this offer sheet structure, because the Reaves salary bump would happen right as LeBron James’s contract expires (if he picks up his player option) at the end of 2025. That makes it less likely another team will offer it — why burn three days of free agency on an offer sheet that will just get matched? — and likely leave L.A. in a strong position to retain Reaves at midlevel exception-type money. (via John Hollinger)

It will be intriguing to see what LA does, but they are in strong position to bring back the ascending Reaves -- and potentially Russell -- for the 2023-24 season.