Los Angeles Lakers- Grade: A
Additions:
- Jaxon Hayes
- Jalen Hood-Schifino
- Cam Reddish
- Maxwell Lewis
- Gabe Vincent
Losses:
- Dennis Schroder
- Lonnie Walker
The Lakers are winners this offseason. They were somehow able to keep D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura for excellent deals; they brought in some nice role players; and they nailed the 2023 NBA Draft.
Jalen Hood-Schifino has all-star potential. In an interesting move, the Lakers chose Heat point guard Gabe Vincent over Dennis Schroeder, and although I’d rather have Vincent, although not by much, given that Schroeder fit well. Regardless, to me, only Milwaukee had a stronger offseason than the Lakers, which nailed the offseason.
Signings:
- D’Angelo Russell- Grade: A
- Rui Hachimura- Grade: B
- Gabe Vincent- Grade: A-
- Austin Reaves- Grade: A
- Cam Reddish- Grade: C
- Jaxon Hayes- Grade: A-
Trades:
- None
Lakers’ 2023 NBA Draft – Grade: B
- No. 17: Jalen Hood-Schifino, G, Indiana
- No. 40: Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
I really like the Lakers’ draft class. With so many free agents, the club had to find at least one role guy in the 2023 NBA Draft, but to me, the team landed two. Hood-Schifino is still maturing as a point guard and scorer, but he has elite size at his position and is pure potential. He has the size to be a one or two, and he has the potential to be an excellent starting one. Lewis was ranked in my 20s, so I love the value for the Lakers of landing him at No. 40. The man is a pure scorer, and he should have a role off the bench.
