In a recent episode of 'Buha's Block' , Lakers insider Jovan Buha shared some intriguing thoughts about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers roster, specifically predicting who might still be on the team five years from now, in the 2029-2030 season. One of the most significant takeaways from Buha's insights was his prediction that Anthony Davis, despite his current status as a franchise cornerstone, likely will not be playing for the Lakers by then.
(Cleaned up for better understanding)
"Five years from now puts us at 2029. We’d be entering the 2029-2030 season, and at that point, I’m going to assume LeBron James is no longer playing in the NBA. He would be 44, about to turn 45 in year 27, which would be absolutely absurd. I think it’s safe to say he’s no longer on the roster."
"As for AD, in 2029 he’d already be 36, turning 37 that season. I wonder if he’s still playing by then. I think he’s capable of still playing and being effective, but five years from now, at 36 or 37, given his injury history, I do wonder. I’d assume he’s still probably playing, but that’s an interesting one."
"My guess is that AD is not on the Lakers at that point, but maybe he’s the second or third guy next to a new star or a couple of new stars."
"Christian Wood? I think he’s probably out of the NBA by then. D-Lo would be 33, set to be 34 that season—I don’t think he’s a Laker. Gabe Vincent, same thing, would be 33, going on 34—I don’t think he’s a Laker either. Rui would be 31—I don’t think he’s a Laker."
"So to save you from going player by player, if I had to pick three guys likely to still be Lakers at that point, I’d guess Austin, Max, and Dalton. I’d lean toward Dalton with the most certainty because he’s the youngest in terms of his career, and five years from now, he’d be entering year six."
"You can keep a player on your books through the first six or seven years, basically through their first couple of contracts, in the modern NBA. That’s how it usually plays out—unless a guy gets good enough to demand out."
"If the Lakers want to keep a player under contract, they can essentially hold on to them through those first couple of deals. So I’d say Dalton is the most likely to still be a Laker. Max is probably second, and then it’s close for me between Austin and AD."
"With AD, it’s just a matter of whether he still wants to be playing—how has he aged, how have the injuries affected him over the next five years? Austin, on the other hand, could potentially be a free agent in a couple of years, as he has that player option on his contract."
"I think he’ll likely get a raise at that point, so it comes down to who offers him the most money and the best role. That could be the Lakers, or it could be somewhere else." (37:31)
Buha set the stage by pointing out that five years from now, LeBron James , who would be turning 45, is almost certain to have retired from the NBA. While LeBron has defied expectations and extended his career far beyond what many thought possible, the idea of him still playing into his mid-40s seems far-fetched even for the seemingly ageless star. Buha confidently stated that it's safe to assume LeBron would no longer be on the Lakers roster by the 2029-2030 season.
When it came to Anthony Davis , Buha acknowledged that Davis would be 36 or 37 by 2029, an age where many NBA players are nearing the end of their careers. While Davis is certainly capable of playing at a high level into his mid-30s, Buha expressed doubts about whether Davis would still be on the Lakers at that point.
Davis' frequent injuries have been a concern throughout his career, and while he remains one of the most dominant big men in the league when healthy, it’s unclear how much longer his body will hold up at an elite level.
Buha speculated that if Davis is still playing in 2029, he might not be the Lakers’ primary option. He envisioned Davis potentially playing as a second or third option next to a new star or stars, as the Lakers inevitably rebuild their roster around younger talent. While Davis could still be a valuable player at that stage, Buha seemed to think it was unlikely he would remain the franchise centerpiece five years from now.
As Buha continued to assess the current roster, he expressed doubts about several other key players remaining with the Lakers over the long term. Christian Wood , D'Angelo Russell , and Gabe Vincent , all of whom would be in their early to mid-30s by 2029, were seen as unlikely to still be on the team. Even younger players like Rui Hachimura , who would be 31 in five years, were not expected to be part of the Lakers’ future core.
However, Buha did identify a few players he believes have a good chance of sticking with the team. Max Christie , Austin Reaves , and Dalton Knecht were singled out as players who could still be on the roster in 2029, with Knecht being the most likely.
Buha pointed out that Knecht, being in the early stages of his career, would only be entering his sixth season at that point, and the Lakers would likely be able to retain him through his first couple of contracts if they choose to. Christie was seen as the second most likely, followed closely by Reaves, though Buha acknowledged that Reaves could potentially leave the Lakers if he receives a better offer elsewhere in the future.
Ultimately, Buha’s analysis suggests that the Lakers could undergo significant roster turnover over the next five years. While Davis’ future with the team is uncertain, younger players like Christie, Knecht, and Reaves may represent the next generation of Lakers stars. For Davis, his age, injury history, and the team’s evolving priorities could mean that his time in Los Angeles comes to an end sooner rather than later.
Related: NBA Stars The Lakers Should Pursue After LeBron James Retires
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