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Lakers depth chart after re-signing Austin Reaves, other free agent moves

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: LeBron James #6 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react against the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 24, 2023 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: LeBron James #6 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react against the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 24, 2023 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been very busy in NBA free agency thus far, making a myriad of moves to build out next year’s roster. All in all, it is safe to say that fans are happy with what the Lakers have done.

Fans can see the puzzle starting to form for the Lakers depth chart next season and there are still more pieces to put in place. As it stands right now, here is how things look for the purple and gold.

Lakers depth chart after free agency signings:

The first player in each position group is the expected starter, with each subsequent player having a lesser role. Of course, this is subject to change once the Lakers reconvene in training camp before the season.

  • PG: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino
  • SG: Austin Reaves, Max Christie
  • SF: LeBron James, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish
  • PF: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxwell Lewis
  • C: Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes

It is easy to look at the Lakers depth chart as it is currently constructed and pinpoint where the team could add. Shooting guard and center are the two thinnest positions and with two more roster spots to use, are probably the two positions that will be targeted.

Granted, NBA rosters are flexible in today’s game so someone like Vincent or Reddish could play the two if they had to while Hachimura or Vanderbilt could play small-ball five. But it is still nice to have options at each position.

Shooting guard probably should be the No. 1 priority as Christie has little NBA experience and may not be ready for a bigger role in the rotation in year two. Adding another player that can knock down three-point shots would be ideal.

When it comes down to it, though, this starting five is really talented. Hachimura gets the nod over Vanderbilt has he played better in the playoffs and is making $17 million next season. Russell and Vincent will also compete for the starting point guard job and it wouldn’t be totally surprising if LA would prefer to bring Russell off the bench to be a microwave scorer.

But that being said, the Lakers were worried about “losing” Russell in the NBA Playoffs if he was moved to the bench, so him making that switch during the regular season could do more harm than good.

Most importantly, the wing depth of this team is really, really promising. There are six guys who can play either the three or the four and that is without counting Davis. Even someone like Maxwell Lewis can log minutes next season. This is great as LeBron James shouldn’t be playing more than 55 games in the regular season.

Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark

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