The Los Angeles Lakers have seemingly embraced a new reality. Having abandoned the three-star approach, Los Angeles is instead shifting to a rotation that seeks to complement Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with players who can excel in more specifically defined roles.
Unfortunately, there are polarizing players in the rotation who have been questioned in regard to their ability to make a consistently positive impact. Thankfully, they're all built to win in the margins.
The margins of an NBA game are admittedly difficult to define, but it all comes down to making the type of plays that don't necessarily get glorified or glamourized. For instance, the players who are willing to set screens, box out, battle for rebounds, and dive for loose balls don't always have the highest point totals at the end of the night.
In saying that, the work they do, including their willingness to fight over screens and battle in the post, consistently contributes to the goal of winning games. Thankfully, the Lakers have three polarizing players who project to at least excel in those kind of areas.
That all starts with one of the most promising players in the Lakers' developmental pipeline.
3. Adou Thiero
Though generally praised as a project player by Lakers fans, Adou Thiero is still undoubtedly polarizing. For as alluring his potential may be, his erratic jump shooting has made it difficult for his other attributes to shine through early in his NBA career.
As the Lakers embrace something of a by-committee approach to wing depth and defense, however, Thiero is likely to factor into their plans—and, at his best, he can be a transformative addition.
Thiero's defensive potential is riveting. He has an almost OG Anunoby type of build at 6'8" and a muscular 220 pounds. He also offers a 7'0" wingspan and a vertical that comfortably clears 40". Throw in the film that reflects all-out defensive intensity and playmaking skills as a stock specialist, and Thiero can be a true impact reserve.
If Thiero is able to refine his defensive efforts and become the multi-position stopper that he has the potential to be, then polarizing won't be an attributable word and he'll simply be a key rotational asset.
Even if he isn't yet ready for that level of responsibility, Thiero's athleticism could be huge for the Lakers. He's willing to get his hands dirty on defense, skies above the rim in transition and the half court, and can reroute momentum with his ability to play the passing lanes and even produce blocks.
If Thiero can show signs of an improved jumper or at least an offensive skill he can fall back on, then he'll be a critical player for the purpose of winning the battle in the margins.
2. Jake LaRavia
Jake LaRavia came to Los Angeles with an efficient jump shot in his back pocket. Unfortunately, he seemed to lose it on the commute. In 2025-26, LaRavia shot just 32.1 percent from beyond arc during the regular season and a putrid 28.6 percent during the playoffs.
That's perhaps inevitably resulted in LaRavia becoming one of the most polarizing players on the Lakers' roster. It hasn't, however, changed how important he is to winning.
In the simplest of terms, LaRavia is a good basketball player. He may not give JJ Redick the same contributions every time out, but he makes winning plays on both ends of the floor—and oftentimes does so in ways that don't show up in the box score.
LaRavia moves well without the ball, crashes the offensive glass, completes straight-line finishes, defends multiple positions, and is rarely out of position.
Those may not be the most glamorous skills, but they amount to LaRavia making the right plays at the right time—and often ending up in the thick of things when plays fall apart and someone needs to provide stability. Improving his jump shot is essential, but he still makes plays that can help the second unit achieve a degree of two-way consistency.
Polarizing as he may be, LaRavia is a glue guy type of player who can help the Lakers win games despite the flaws he must correct.
1. Kevon Looney
Kevon Looney appeared in just 21 games during the 2025-26 season. When he was healthy, he looked like a shell of himself. As such, there's reason to worry about the 30-year-old's ability to play enough to influence the game favorably, let alone make a positive impact when he is available.
In saying that, Looney appeared in at least 74 games in each of the previous four seasons and has invaluable intangibles as a three-time NBA champion who lives in the margins.
For one, Looney ranked No. 8 in the NBA in 2024-25, his last healthy season, in screen assists per 75 possessions, per Basketball Index. That alone should make him an ideal complement to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who feast off of pick-and-roll sets.
Looney also averaged an elite 5.8 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes in 2024-25 and overcame an otherwise down year to average 5.6 in 2025-26.
Furthermore, Looney's screening is more dynamic than simply working the pick-and-roll. Between his handoffs and his pin downs, Looney simply creates offense for his teammates. Compounded by his commitment to defense, it's the little things that make Looney such a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Each of these players admittedly has flaws, but if the Lakers position them in the ideal roles, then they should help the team win in the margins in 2026-27.
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