3. Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio is arguably the most talented point guard on this list but his torn ACL makes him the third-best option for the team. Rubio tore his ACL in December and while he could be good to go by the time the 2022-23 season starts, it could also take as long as a year before Rubio is ready to play again.
The Lakers really should be cutting Russell Westbrook’s playing time next season if the team is going to reach its ceiling. Westbrook should be splitting time almost 50/50 with whoever the backup point guard is and Rubio would be a great option to make that split with.
In a perfect world, Rubio could provide the Lakers with the same kind of impact that Rajon Rondo did off the bench in the Orlando bubble. While Rubio is unlikely to shoot as well from three as Rondo did in those playoffs, he absolutely can be the floor general of the second unit that can take some of the playmaking duties off of LeBron James.
It is important to continue to take some of the workload from LeBron as he is getting older and needs to stay healthy for an entire season. We are already seeing changes in LeBron’s game as he is becoming more of a three-point shooter and Rubio would help the team continue to accomplish that.
Like Schroder, Rubio is someone who could take over for Westbrook and play 30-35 minutes a game if needed later in the season. Because of the injury and his age, though, he checks in at number three.