The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the best showings of any NBA team in the offseason. The Lakers made several key free-agent signings and were able to put together a roster that every fan is excited about.
This summer feels different for Lakers fans. While the 2020 summer felt great after the championship, Rob Pelinka and the front office learned from that offseason and improved upon it for this offseason. Instead of a complete overhaul of an already-great team, Los Angeles is running it back with the same core and several key additions alongside it.
As it stands right now, the Lakers have 13 players signed to the active roster with room for two more. Here is what the team looks like with the 13 players currently on the roster (before eventually adding at least one more to the rotation).
Projected Lakers starting lineup heading into preseason:
- PG: D’Angelo Russell
- SG: Austin Reaves
- SF: LeBron James
- PF: Rui Hachimura
- C: Anthony Davis
There are definitely some things to discuss with this starting lineup. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves are guaranteed to be starting as they are the three-best players on the roster. That is a no-brainer. But what about D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura?
Russell has a real battle on his hands with Gabe Vincent to be the starting point guard. And even though all signs are pointing to D’Lo being traded at the deadline this year, the Lakers will likely give him the starting nod.
The team was reportedly worried that it would “lose” Russell in the playoffs if he was demoted to the bench. Knowing how he takes demotions, the Lakers will give him the starting nod to start the season to make him happy knowing that Vincent will probably eventually take over.
As far as Hachimura goes, he was a star in the playoffs and while Jarred Vanderbilt still started, Hachimura got the bulk of the minutes. You don’t pay someone $17 million a year after a huge postseason to make them a sixth man.
Projected Lakers rotation:
Here is how the rest of the rotation shakes out as currently constructed, in order of likely minutes played off the bench.
- 6th: Gabe Vincent
- 7th: Jarred Vanderbilt
- 8th: Taurean Prince
- 9th: Max Christie
- 10th: Jaxson Hayes
- 11th: Cam Reddish
- 12th: Jalen Hood-Schifino
- 13th: Maxwell Lewis
There are still two areas that the Lakers could address with the final two roster spots. The team needs a center (that can preferably space the floor) and also needs another two-guard. As it stands right now, both positions only have one traditional backup off the bench.
D’Moi Hodge is a candidate to get an opportunity after his strong Summer League while the situation at center is ongoing and evolving. Despite not yet being on the roster, both of the new additions (assuming LA makes two additions) would get more playing time than the rookies Hood-Schifino and Lewis.