Los Angeles Lakers: 3 position battles for next season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Alex Caruso #4, and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers hi-five each other during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 13, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Alex Caruso #4, and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers hi-five each other during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 13, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers had a strong 2019-2020 season behind LeBron James’s incredible performance. “The King” was the best player in the NBA, a dominant two-way force capable of shutting the down opposing team’s best scoring weapon while also playing near-perfect offense.

Anthony Davis played second fiddle to LeBron James, but he was the best secondary option on offense in the NBA and a terror on the less glamorous side of the ball. Dwayne Wade is a Hall-of-Famer, but you could easily argue AD is the best player that LeBron has ever joined forces with.

An organization doesn’t launch out of the gate and lead the Western Conference behind just two players. The Lakers’ role players were surprisingly good. Next season, there could be several key position battles, not only for playing time but for who secures a roster spot.

We’ll look at three potential Los Angeles Lakers position battles for Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office to consider during the offseason:

  • Kyle Kuzma vs. Markieff Morris for the Lakers backup power forward position.
  • Alex Caruso vs. Rajon Rondo for the Lakers backup point guard position.
  • JaVale McGee vs. Dwight Howard for the starting center position.