Fantasy Basketball Exit Interview: The LeBron question looms large for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers, without Luka Dončić, sent the Rockets home in six games, only to run into an Oklahoma City Thunder squad primed to repeat as champions. The Lakers fought as best they could, but ultimately exited the second round in a four-game sweep. Fantasy-wise, the Lakers’ big three carried the load, but some tough decisions are looming ahead of next year.

Here’s what we learned from the Lakers and what to consider going forward.

The main fantasy assets

Luka Dončić put together a monster season — leading the league in scoring with 33.5 ppg while also finishing the regular season second overall in High Score and sixth in 9-cat leagues. He’ll continue to be one of the best contributors from the guard spot in terms of points, rebounds and assists.

Heading into next year, Dončić remains one of the safest first-round investments in fantasy basketball regardless of what this roster looks like around him.

Austin Reaves had his coming-out party this season, outperforming his 47th overall ADP. The soon-to-be-free agent finished 30th in High Score, averaging 43.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) and 32nd in 9-cat leagues. Reaves was limited to 51 games after dealing with ankle, calf and late-season oblique injuries, but he still posted career-bests in points, rebounds and steals, while maintaining his efficiency on increased volume.

The breakout is real, and now we’ll have to see how much the Lakers are willing to pay to retain his services. Lock him in as a third-to-fourth-round fantasy draft pick.

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Then there’s Deandre Ayton. A disappointment yet again.

Playing 70 games was the highlight, as his production tapered off for the fourth straight season. He failed to average a double-double for the first time in his career (he averaged 12.5 ppg with 8 rebounds), while playing the fewest minutes per night (27.2). He was very efficient from the field, but it was on low volume, and most nights he was benched for his inconsistent effort on defense and on the glass. Ayton will likely opt out of his $8M contract and test free agency. There’s enough tape on him to know who he is — a declining player who carried a 67th overall ADP but finished outside the top-110 in both High Score and 9-cat.