Predicted Lakers bench
PG | Dennis Schroder | 23-24 Salary: $5.3 million (TP MLE) | Opening Night Age: 30
Q: Is he the best usage of the Mid Level Exception money?
A: Schroder may have his fair share of critics and there are definitely other options that could be pursued with the Mid-Level Exception money, but his grittiness as a point-of-attack defender is actually quite vital. Similar to former Laker legend Pat Bev, Schroder has the ability to completely swing the momentum of a game with his ability to hound ball handlers.
He is no slouch on the offensive end either, despite possessing one of the more streakier jumpers around. His speed, agility, and toughness make him a nightmare to stop when he puts his head down and dashes to the basket. He can be the change-of-pace point guard behind D’Lo, and he can also play right alongside Russell/Reaves as a result of his defensive abilities.
SG | Buddy Hield | 23-24 Salary: $19.2 million | Opening Night Age: 30
Q: Can he avoid the seemingly unavoidable plague that attacks shooters’ jumpers upon arrival in LA?
A: Buddy Hield seems to have been on the Lakers’ radar for ages now. There have been multiple rounds of rumors and reports tying the two sides together, but there has yet to be any traction on the negotiation table.
LeBron most likely has one more good run in him (if that), and it is important for the organization to make the most of this upcoming season. Hield is one of the top high-volume 3-point shooters in NBA history and would create unimaginable loads of space for the stars to maneuver in.
Malik Beasley is essentially a poor man’s Buddy Hield, and picking up his $16.5 million Team Option for next season is the first step in making this exchange happen. Swapping him, Mo Bamba ($10.3 million for next season), and the team’s prized 2029 1st round pick for Hield and young backup big Jalen Smith ($4.7 million for 2023-2024) should be enough to persuade the folks up front in Indy.
SF | Max Christie | 23-24 Salary: $1.7 million | Opening Night Age: 20
Q: Is he ready for a full-time role?
A: Still not even old enough to enjoy an adult beverage, Max Christie showed a lot of promise in not a lot of floor time this year. His build blended with his fundamental tactics yields barrels of excitement on the less glamorous end, and his consistency from behind the arc (albeit in a low sample size) hints at Bruce Bowen-type potential.
He might not be quite ready for a huge role just yet, but anticipate the coaching staff to throw him to the wolves a bit more next year in order to speed up his development.
PF | Rui Hachimura | 23-24 Salary: $15 million | Opening Night Age: 25
Q: How high will his price tag rise?
A: Along with Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura was one of the unsung heroes for this team in the postseason. His ability to put the ball in the bucket will cement his place in the league for years to come, but his sneaky versatility on defense is what will inflate his salary figures for years to come.
He is more of a combo wing than big, but his frame permits him to bang with the big boys down low. Depending on how the next gentleman fairs in his minutes to start next season, Hachimura could be in line for a major rise in run as the backup 5.
C | Jalen Smith | 23-24 Salary: $4.7 million | Opening Night Age: 23
Q: Is he worthy of minutes as the backup 5?
A: Many non-in-depth NBA fans probably do not even recognize the name Jalen Smith, so it may be surprising to know that he was the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Between his time in Phoenix, San Antonio, and Indiana, Smith has showcased glimpses of a potential hidden gem.
While his shooting percentages slipped this season, he shot over 37% from long range in the 2021-2022 season with Indiana on nearly 4 attempts per game. After Indiana re-signed him last offseason, iconic NBA coach Rick Carlisle was extremely quick to pencil him in as the team’s starting Power Forward for the ensuing 2022-23 season.
He would technically be considered a throw-in here within the Hield deal for salary-matching purposes, but make no mistake about his potential to provide strong contributions in the frontcourt.