After an incredible and unexpected run in the NBA playoffs, the 2022-23 campaign is officially over for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers after the Denver Nuggets swept the team in the Western Conference Finals.
Immediately after the Game 4 loss to the Nuggets on Monday night, James shocked everyone by admitting that he’ll be considering retirement this summer after 20 seasons in the NBA.
With James potentially walking away from the game, the plans will definitely change for the Lakers as the storied franchise tries to pick up the pieces and build a roster moving forward.
However, if James sticks around for at least one more year, Nick Wright of Fox Sports believes the Lakers should run it back with the same squad via First Things First.
"The Lakers should run it back."
— @getnickwright explains: pic.twitter.com/eF62iWk9sE
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 23, 2023
In order for the Lakers brass to make this possible, a lot has to be done during the NBA offseason, with D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura being the team’s focus.
All three of these players will be looking to get paid this summer, but it remains uncertain if the team will be able to re-sign them all or even if the franchise wants all three back in the fold.
Reaves seems to be a priority at this point, followed by Hachimura and then Russell, who the team might deem expendable after a forgettable postseason performance.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens in Los Angeles this summer and whether the storied franchise can convince James to come back and what players will be around him heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
NEXT: Austin Reaves Makes His Thoughts Clear On Where He Wants To Play
