Burning questions the fans need answered during Lakers preseason

3. Who is going to earn the last spot on the Lakers roster?

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 14 players signed to the active roster, leaving room for one more signing before the 2022-23 season. This is a similar position that the team was in last year as they eventually used the final roster spot for Avery Bradley.

Los Angeles wanted to keep room for a buyout market in the future but did not want to have to pay an entire salary to release someone, so Bradley got a non-guaranteed contract that the Lakers could get out from if needed. Don’t be surprised if that is the route the team takes this year.

If Los Angeles wants to sign a non-guaranteed deal then we could see the team give the roster spot to someone like Matt Ryan. Ryan was brought in on a training camp deal and is a wing that can hit three-point shots.

Perhaps the best option for the team is Cole Swider, an undrafted free agent marksman who shot the ball really well in college and followed that with a great showing in the G League. However, Swider is currently signed to a two-way deal and LA may take the long-term approach of keeping him on that for the time being.

Absurd hurdle that may have kept Lakers from trading Russell Westbrook

The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately did not trade Russell Westbrook to the Lakers and there may have been an absurd hurdle that stopped a deal.

Regardless, Los Angeles is not going to simply leave this roster spot empty and with there being so many variables on the team, it is important that they maximize who they bring in and don’t simply hand out a roster spot to someone.