The Los Angeles Lakers face the daunting task of bolstering the roster into a championship contender this summer, as they’re clearly in a lower tier than the top teams in the Western Conference. And most importantly, they’re still no match for the Denver Nuggets.

Rob Pelinka will face tough questions regarding who to get rid of this summer, as the Lakers don’t have much depth as currently constructed. With that being said, let’s take a look at four players who could find themselves on the move this offseason.

4. Rui Hachimura
After proving himself as a high-level role player last season, Rui Hachimura has found it difficult to identify his niche on this Lakers team. Part of the challenge has been Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s constant tinkering with the starting lineup, as Hachimura has been both a starter and a reserve.

This can make it difficult to establish a rhythm.

Hachimura is a limited player, as he struggles to contribute outside of scoring. He’s not a lockdown defender and he doesn’t provide any playmaking.

And he’s inconsistent on the glass, despite being 6-foot-8. He plays his role well, however, his limitations should compel the Lakers’ front office to ship him off this offseason.

3. Gabe Vincent
It wasn’t supposed to be like this, man. Gabe Vincent was supposed to be a steal for the Lakers.

Vincent was coming off of a highly productive 2023 postseason with the Miami Heat, which saw him average 12.7 points, 3.5 assists, 37.8 percent from three (on a healthy 6.1 attempts), and 88.2 percent from the foul line.

Vincent forced his way into Erik Spoelstra’s starting lineup for the postseason, despite coming off the bench for the first half of the season for Miami. The Lakers used their mid-level exception to bring in Vincent, whose long-range shooting and playmaking figured to be valuable for the Lake Show.

Instead, it’s been a case of what could’ve been, as injuries have prevented Vincent from being a contributor. Making matters worse, he’s only played five games, and hasn’t played since December.

Pelinka and the Lakers brass will surely be shipping him away this summer, as his $11 million in 2024-25 will be much needed outgoing salary.

2. D’Angelo Russell
When the details of D’Angelo Russell’s contract extension were revealed, one thing was clear: Russell would be getting traded at some point. The team gave him a short-term deal (one plus one), which isn’t quite what franchises do if they value a player.

Russell was essentially given a one-year fully guaranteed deal.

The Lakers dangled him as a trade chip at the deadline, in hopes of reeling in Dejounte Murray, but were unsuccessful in their overtures. It’s been widely reported that the team will more active in the summer, as they have to add a viable superstar to team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Russell would present value as an expiring, although he’d have to opt in to the final year to facilitate a trade, which could kill some of the Lakers’ leverage, as he’d only do that if it would present a favorable situation for him.

At least one would think.

Russell has also played well this season. Sure, he’s posted essentially the same statline this season as last season with the Lakers, but he’s done it in spite of the cloud of uncertainty hovering over his head.

Which has admittedly taken a toll on him, as Russell explained on the Backyard Podcast.

“Obviously it’s a lot of pressure. I just tried to approach it with a zen mentality. Knowing that I can’t control those things but also knowing that it is what’s going on and that’s what’s evolving around me. So being present within it but also not letting my mind get taken over by it.

We survived. It’s good to survive. It’s just a good weight off the shoulder. All in all, that’s what it was for me. So it’s cool to be here and reset and attack the second half of the season with some momentum.”

Russell should get some clarity on the short-term outlook of his Lakers future.

1. LeBron James
LeBron James has without question been the most durable player the game has ever seen. He’s in his 21st season, yet he’s still being named the Player of the Week, in addition to playing at an All-NBA level. James has had many historical moments in a Lakers uniform, and could break many more records in the purple and gold, if he chooses to remain a Laker for the rest of his playing days.

However, this is far from a guarantee, as the current version of the Lakers isn’t quite a championship contender. In fact, they’re far from it.

Heading into Friday night, this Lakers team has gone 17-22 against teams with winning records this season, while going 17-8 against teams below .500 in 2023-24. In other words, half of their wins have come against non-contenders and 73 percent of their losses have come against teams with winning records.

Surely this isn’t how James envisions his career ending. Breaking records on a non-contender isn’t what he drew up, even if it does afford him the opportunity to play with his son.

James has yet to exercise his player option and he hasn’t agreed to an extension with the Lakers either. In other words, the Lakers could very well be at risk of James bolting and agreeing to a sign-and-trade to get him off the team.

Which will likely be his best chance at legitimately winning another title. Anthony Davis hasn’t yet proven capable of being the primary option on a championship team and allowing James to take a back seat.

LeBron wouldn’t have this issue on the Golden State Warriors or even the Philadelphia 76ers, who checked in on LeBron’s availability at the deadline.

The Lakers could legitimately lose James this offseason, which would leave them destitute and stranded.