Lakers Players' Contract Status In 2024: LeBron James' $51 Million Reasons To Stay

Contract Status: $51,415,938 Player Option In 2024-25

The Lakers have an extremely short list of untouchable players, headlined by the great LeBron James of course. Despite turning 39 years old before New Year, James has been arguably a top-10 player in the world this season as he posts 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on 39.5% shooting from three.

The King has looked like he is a decade younger at times and is still the best leader in the NBA. Los Angeles will never be able to have a star of James’ caliber again so they need to find a way to maximize his presence and surround him with the star talent needed to boost the team in the West. However, as he gets closer to 40 years old, the Lakers must prepare for the long-term outlook because James won’t be around forever - possibly depending on the Bronny James situation.

Anthony Davis 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2026-27, $66,821,676 Player Option in 2027-28

Despite the criticism Anthony Davis received last year, there isn’t much that can be said this season. The big man is posting 24.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game in what looks to be an impending ninth All-Star selection. The big man is third in the NBA in rebounds, is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, and can dominate any matchup if he puts his mind to it.

At 30 years old, Davis also has a few years left of his prime and the Lakers cannot afford to trade him at any cost. No doubt, the big man is under contract until the 2026-27 season with a monster $66.8 million player option in 2027-28 when the big man will be 34 years old and counting.

D’Angelo Russell 

Contract Status: $18,692,307 Player Option In 2024-25

The 27-year-old point guard D’Angelo Russell is averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 assists per game this season. Russell is a capable offensive player but he is not cutting at as a star player and considering his age, teams will be interested in his services to shore up their backcourt.

If the Lakers want to make a trade, Russell will be one of the first names to be included, by accepting his player option or going for a two or three-year deal beforehand. If Russell continues to perform well in the second half of the season, he might be a long-term answer for the Lakers alongside Anthony Davis.

Rui Hachimura 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2025-26

Rui Hachimura is a 25-year-old forward who is not only a confident mid-range scorer but has the build (6’8”, 230 lbs) to be a solid player on both ends of the court. Posting 12.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on 51.5% shooting, Hachimura has been solid but rather unspectacular for the Lakers who need a little more in their lineup.

That means Hachimura is not untouchable in any sense because the Japanese forward has talent but isn’t exactly setting the team alight with his play. If an All-Star player becomes available, Hachimura will be included if needed but he is on a decent contract under $19 million per season until 2025-26.

Austin Reaves 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2025-26, $14,898,786 Player Option In 2026-27

Austin Reaves signed a $50 million extension this offseason and while he has found ways to be more productive coming off the bench as a sixth man, his numbers don’t exactly scream “untouchable”. Averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game at 25 years old, Reaves would be an interesting prospect for teams looking to rebuild as the Lakers try to win this season.

Similar to Hachimura, Reaves will be asked for in any deals for an elite player because he has almost a decade left of his prime. The shooting guard competes hard and has a great attitude, but he is on a team-friendly deal with under $15 million per season with a $14,898,786 player option in 2026-27.

Gabe Vincent 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2025-26

Gabe Vincent has been a disappointment this season but it seems injuries have cost him, as he had knee surgery that kept him out for a while. The point guard for the Miami Heat last year has only made five appearances and averaged 5.4 points and 3.0 assists per game.

At 27 years old, Vincent might still have some trade value, however, because he was the starting point guard for an NBA Finals last season. The problem is that Vincent seems to follow the same mold as Kendrick Nunn in terms of a Heat player who joined the Lakers when his body was completely beaten up. Hopefully, the point guard can get his health back because he is making $11,000,000 and $11,500,000 over the next two seasons.

Jarred Vanderbilt 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2026-27, $13,285,714 Player Option in 2027-28

Jarred Vanderbilt is a 24-year-old forward and swingman who is good enough to be a starting player due to his elite defense and hustle-first mentality. A player with the mold of past LAkers Trevor Ariza or Ron Artest, Vanderbilt is a stout defender who can handle any task thrown at him.

Although he has only made 29 appearances this season due to injury, Vanderbilt is a player that the Lakers can trust to come good and be a key performer in the starting lineup next season and going forward. However, he needs to improve his 29.6% three-point average this season.

Taurean Prince 

Contract Status: Free Agent

Taurean Prince has been inserted into the starting lineup and while he is a versatile swingman who fits the modern NBA, averaging 9.6 points per game on 39.0% shooting from three, the Lakers would be willing to move on from him if it means getting a significant upgrade in their starting lineup around James and Davis.

Prince is a free agent so unless a better swingman comes along, the Lakers might have to bring him back. A forward who can defend three positions and also space the floor is important in today’s NBA, so Prince’s situation will be an interesting one to follow all season.

Jalen Hood-Schifino 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2024-25, Team Options In 2025-26, 2026-27, $9,439,718 Qualifying Offer In 2027-28

Hood-Schifino was taken No. 17 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and hasn’t exactly forced his way into the lineup, appearing in 17 games so far. He is posting 1.7 points per game and it is likely the youngster will be included in any deals the Lakers will involve themselves in this summer. With the shooting guard under contract until 2024-25, the Lakers can be patient with Hood-Schifino and if he fails to impress, he will likely be traded.

Christian Wood 

Contract Status: $3,036,040 Player Option In 2024-25

Christian Wood is doing a job off the bench with 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, but the Lakers won’t view him as untouchable. For whatever reason, Wood has lost the trust the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets had in him in past years, and he has been relegated to a reserve role. With a player option worth a little over $3 million next season, Wood might be a Laker next year.

Jaxson Hayes 

Contract Status: $2,463,946 Player Option In 2024-25

The 23-year-old Jaxson Hayes is a 7-footer who has appeared in 45 games and averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Hayes has not reached his potential yet and is only averaging 11.0 minutes per game. With a player option worth a little over $2 million for next season, the Lakers could bring him back and still maintain cap flexibility which is always a good thing.

Cam Reddish 

Contract Status: $2,463,946 Player Option In 2024-25

Cam Reddish is a player the Lakers would like to keep as he is only 24 years old and a former No. 10 overall pick, but 7.0 points per game is a loss the Lakers might be willing to take if he accepts a player option and is placed in any deals. Reddish is averaging 6.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season, so he could be a capable backup and we will likely see him a Laker next year whether he signs a long-term deal or not.

Max Christie 

Contract Status: Free Agent

The 20-year-old Max Christie would be an interesting prospect for any team looking to rebuild their squad. He is a free agent this summer and the Lakers need to gauge the market to see if he is worth re-signing on a long-term, team-friendly deal. Christie will likely receive interest from other teams but the player himself might prefer staying and living in Los Angeles.

Spencer Dinwiddie 

Contract Status: Free Agent

Spencer Dinwiddie was acquired by the Lakers after his released by the Toronto Raptors before the trade deadline, and there are doubts about how he can contribute going forward. He is almost 31 years old and posting 12.4 points per game this season, but he can still get by defenders and is a capable playmaker. As a free agent, Dinwiddie will need to prove he can be solid for the long term by playing well in the second half of the season.

Maxwell Lewis 

Contract Status: Under Contract Until 2025-26, $2,406,205 Player Option in 2026-27

Maxwell Lewis is under contract for two seasons but he has only played in 19 games with 3.6 minutes per game of action. The 6’7” small forward has the size to be a rotational player in the NBA someday, but we haven’t seen enough of him to decide whether he is a long-term asset for the Lakers or not.