Projecting the Lakers Rotation for 2013-14

CENTER

Starter – Pau Gasol, 32 minutes/game
Backup – Chris Kaman, 26 minutes/game
Reserve – Jordan Hill, 22 minutes/game
Reserve – Robert Sacre, 10 minutes/game

January 1, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) dunks in the first half of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

I’m most excited this season about Pau’s possible explosion in the MDA offense. Nearly all big men featured in his offense have career years. Assuming Gasol is healthy, he’ll have a big year in the pick and roll with Nash. His passing ability will help open up the floor for the Lakers, as will his ability to hit a jump shot. He’s the perfect fit for a big man in an uptempo, pick and roll offense.

There will be little drop off for the Lakers when Gasol leaves as Kaman and Hill will be backups. If Kaman is in the game, he brings a similar skill set scoring-wise as Gasol does, with an ability to knock down a jumper as well as an array of post moves. He’s also as big a defensive liability as Gasol. If Hill is the center on the court, then the Lakers are certainly going with a fast-paced offense. Expect to see that at spurts next year as Hill is an athletic big man who runs the floor well and hustles all over the floor.

Sacre put himself into the discussion as a possible rotation player, albeit a long-shot as one, after his improved performance in summer league. He showed a vastly improved skill-set with a bit of a face-up game and a new set of post moves. While I don’t think he’ll play a big role in the team next year, if he continues to improve both offensively and defensively, he could definitely see playing time in the future.