Los Angeles Lakers: 3 possible unexpected heroes in Orlando

There could be some unexpected heroes for the Los Angeles Lakers.

When the NBA resumes play in Orlando later this month, the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the leading candidates for the favorites to win this year’s NBA championship. To accomplish this lofty goal that each Lakers’ player and fan had set once the team acquired Anthony Davis, the Lakers will need a lot to go right.

Of course, Los Angeles expects a lot out of their two superstars this postseason. The key for the Lakers’ championship dreams to come true this season, however, are players on the team that are not named LeBron James and Anthony Davis to step up and produce consistently.

"“I think our chances are higher because we’re all rested, we’re all ready to go. If anything, our chances got higher, and it’s going to be about who wants it more. Everybody had a decompression of the season … it’s about which team wants it more and which team can stay healthy.”"

Those are the word’s of Anthony Davis (h/t Mike Trudell) when he was asked his thoughts on the effect that the coronavirus pandemic had on the Lakers’ championship aspirations. In a sense, he is right. With the time off, Los Angeles should enter the restart with a healthy roster and more cohesion than the last time they played together.

Guys like Dion Waiters, Markieff Morris, and even J.R. Smith were able to get more practice time with their new teammates than they would have if this were a normal NBA season.

The battle for a championship in Orlando will be as tough as any other season in the history of the NBA. The teams present will face unprecedented challenges, such as rust from the layoff, no home-court advantage, no fans, etc. Not to mention, they are playing during a global pandemic.

For the Lakers, an all hands on deck approach will be necessary. Frank Vogel will need to rely on his role players to come through consistently in the playoffs and it is imperative that he does not place too much of a burden on his superstars. James and Davis will be counted on, obviously, but they will need help.

The revelation that Avery Bradley will not be joining the team for the NBA restart only enhances that sentiment. Too often this season, although it feels like forever ago, the Lakers relied much too heavily on LeBron and Davis, especially offensively.

Third and fourth options will need to come out of the woodwork for the Lakers to thrive in Orlando. That being said, here are three Lakers players who have the chance to be heroes come late July.

3. Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters has the chance to truly make a difference in the playoffs for the Lakers. A contributing player for a championship team is a long way from a suspension after an edible-incident on a team flight.

The Lakers will need to find a consistent third scorer during the playoffs, especially if they meet the Clippers in a Battle for LA. Waiters has the ability to create his own shot and is a threat with the ball in his hands. This will be vital for the Lakers’ offense when LeBron is on the bench, as they have lacked a secondary ball-handler all season.

Relying on Rajon Rondo may not be the best plan come August.

RELATED: Are Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters ready?

Additionally, Waiters could provide instant scoring off the bench in the playoffs. In his limited appearances for Miami earlier this season, Waiters shot at a 47 percent clip from behind the arc.

The Lakers offense could desperately use a shot in the arm when James sits, and Waiters could be the man to provide that.

2. Kyle Kuzma

Lakers’ fans have been waiting for Kyle Kuzma to emerge as a third option to LeBron and AD since October. Many were mentioning Kuzma alongside both Lakers’ All-NBA players, labeling them the next ‘Big 3’.

Despite the high expectations coming into this year, Kuzma has been relatively disappointing. Averaging just 12.5 points per game and shooting under 30 percent from three-point land, the third-year player has not lived up to his high-level scoring ability and his expected role as a primary option behind James and Davis.

Consistency issues continue to hinder the young forward, and his defensive struggles persist, as well.

The highlight of Kuzma’s season, perhaps, a win in Oklahoma City where his season-high 36 points led the Lakers to a 125-110 victory against the Thunder, came without both of the Lakers’ superstars.

If Kuz is finally able to carve out his role behind LeBron and Davis, the Lakers’ championship odds will increase dramatically.

1. Alex Caruso

Not only is he one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ most beloved players, but Alex Caruso is also one of the Lakers’ most important players as well. The impact that he is able to make on the floor is often overlooked, as he has very few weaknesses in his game.

According to NBA data, Caruso owns a net rating of +10.3, which is tied with LeBron for 11th in the league, with a minimum of 15 minutes per game. His impact will be even more important now, with the announcement that Avery Bradley will opt-out of the NBA restart coming to light.

This will open up more minutes for Caruso to play alongside the starting unit, which has proven successful in the past. In fact, according to NBA.com, the two-man combination of LeBron James and Alex Caruso has a net rating of +20.8, which is good for best in the league in two-man lineups that have played over 300 minutes together.

AC Fresh seems to be the glue that holds the Lakers together at times, and his impact truly can not be overstated. With Bradley sitting out, they will rely on him even more.

A similar situation arose during the regular season, when Avery Bradley missed 20 games, forcing Caruso to play more minutes. The Lakers’ record in those games? 17-3.