NBA Rumors: 3 Los Angeles Lakers Who Won't Be Back Next Season

The Los Angeles Lakers are still feeling the hurt of being swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets Monday night, but considering they were 13th in the Western Conference before making all their trade deadline moves, things went about as well as could be expected. 

Some players cemented themselves in the Lakers' future, for instance, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, both restricted free agents are expected to be retained at all costs. 

But others... Well, they'll likely be needing to find another place to ply their trade next season. Don't expect to see these three Lakers back next season. 

D'Angelo Russell

It would have been blasphemy to suggest this just a few weeks ago. Both sides were publicly stating that a long-term extension was the goal here. But with Reaves and Hachimura becoming the (expensive) priorities to re-sign, and rumors of the Lakers still making a run at Kyrie Irving, Russell's days in LA might be over... again. 

He became a defensive liability in the Conference Finals, and lost his starting role by the end of the series. 

“They can use a Kyrie Irving on that team. … I don’ think we’re going to see D’Angelo Russell back with the Lakers.”

- Chris Haynes in the recent episode of #thisleague UNCUT podcast

Haynes explained that LeBron James wants to take on a secondary role of scorer and playmaker.

— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) May 23, 2023

NBA Insider Chris Haynes says, “They can use a Kyrie Irving on that team. … I don’t think we’re going to see D’Angelo Russell back with the Lakers.”

Malik Beasley

It seemed like he was a key 3-and-D piece for LA in the deadline deal with the Utah Jazz, but both his shooting and defense were more inconsistent than hoped for, and come playoff time, he was a forgotten man. The 26 year old got into just eight minutes a game in the postseason, shooting just 29% from the floor, and 27% from three. 

With a $16M team option, it's a safe bet that the Lakers will be letting Beasley go.

Mo Bamba

Blame injuries, but the big man just never got a chance to show his worth in Purple & Gold. He only got into nine games after coming over at the trade deadline, and less than 10 minutes per contest. In the playoffs, he was basically non-existent, playing just 10 minutes total, spread across three games. 

With a $10M non-guaranteed contract for next season, it's extremely unlikely that the Lakers will pick that up, preferring to let Bamba go to free agency, and maybe, just maybe, trying to get him back on a much cheaper deal.

Photo: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports