NBA Free Agency: 3 biggest decisions facing the Lakers this offseason

Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts during the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts during the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
@aircorg Lakers vs. Warriors prediction
May 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Lakers biggest offseason decisions: 1. Keeping LeBron James

Following the Lakers’ loss in Game 4, LeBron James hinted at the fact he’s considering retirement. At the end of his 20th season and the age of 38 years old he averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists on 50 percent shooting from the field. In the playoffs, he was the Lakers’ leading scoring at 24.5 points, along with 9.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

Even at his advanced age, LeBron is still one of the best players in all of basketball but, it was very visible that he hit the wall after his phenomenal 31-point half in Game 4. He appeared to be taking possessions off on offense because he simply couldn’t attack.

Now that we know retirement has crept into the mind of LeBron James, the Lakers have to do everything in their power to keep him because he is still capable of playing at a high level. The Lakers need to surround LeBron with enough talent for him to coast in the regular season and when the playoffs come around, have more left in the tank.

The Lakers also need to make sure that LeBron stays away from the injury bug. For all of his seasons in L.A. besides 2020, he has been hurt. This year his foot injury probably had plagued him in the playoffs.

There is nothing more important for the Lakers than coming up with a plan to make sure that LeBron doesn’t retire.

dark. Next. The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.