The Los Angeles Lakers did not expect to be battling for eighth in the Western Conference in the final days of the regular season after last year’s run to the conference finals. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been healthy, but that did not stop it from being a disappointing season in LA.
The Lakers could salvage things by making a deep playoff run from the Play-In Tournament for the second straight year. It won’t be easy in the loaded Western Conference. Los Angeles would need multiple things to break right but never count out King James in the playoffs. No team is eager to face them, even if the Lakers do not have enough talent at the end of the day.
Head coach Darvin Ham must pull all the right strings for the Lakers to have success. The pressure will be on as he attempts to shorten his rotation in the postseason. LA has options, and these players could be banished to the bench.
6. Jaxson Hayes
Hayes is the team’s backup big man with Christian Wood out with a knee injury. He is the only seven-footer on the Lakers roster, and Anthony Davis joins him as the two healthy players over 6’9.
Since jumping into the rotation on Jan. 29, Hayes is averaging 5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He does not space the floor but is shooting 73.6 percent from the field over those 29 contests.
The Lakers will likely go small in the playoffs. Floor spacing is already an issue, so fans will see AD, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt handle the minutes at the five. Hayes will get opportunities but could be quickly axed if his defense becomes a liability.
Darvin Ham will trim his rotation in the postseason, and Jaxson Hayes may be left out. He is far from the only Laker on the chopping block, including a young wing who is hoping for his first serious playoff minutes.
5. Max Christie
The 21-year-old has played in 19 of the Lakers' last 20 games, but his minutes have been inconsistent. He has received over 20 minutes three times and under seven on eight occasions. Christie is averaging just 3.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 9.7 minutes per game over that stretch.
The 6’6 wing is likely the first person cut from Ham’s postseason rotation. He played 33 playoff minutes last season as a rookie but was limited to strictly mop-up duty. Christie hoped for more in year two, but it does not appear to be on the horizon.
He will be axed when Jarred Vanderbilt returns from his foot injury, if not before. Christie is not ready for postseason minutes. He has a negative value over replacement player (VORP), and the Lakers have a negative-1.2 net rating when the second-year pro is on the floor. The 21-year-old still has time to blossom, but he should not play a significant role when the games matter most.
Cutting Jaxson Hayes and Max Christie are no-brainer decisions for Darvin Ham, but the remaining moves are not so clear cut. The addition of Spencer Dinwiddie in the buyout market made the coach’s job more difficult. The Lakers will have to cut multiple talented players, including a few that may surprise.
4. Spencer Dinwiddie
Darvin Ham whittled his way down to an eight-man rotation by the conference finals last year. The Lakers will put a larger burden on their best players and cut things down again this season. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves are locked in, but the remaining three spots could be mixed and matched based on matchups.
Dinwiddie was traded from Brooklyn to Toronto at the deadline, and the Raptors were quick to waive him. The 6’5 guard helped the Mavericks reach the conference finals in 2022 and was the Nets' starting point guard as they were bounced in the first round by the 76ers last season.
Dinwiddie feels like a no-brainer option to be in their playoff rotation, but not so fast. He is averaging just 6.3 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game since joining the Lakers. The 30-year-old guard is still learning his teammates and has struggled in purple and gold.
Beyond that, Los Angeles is loaded with guards. Reaves and Russell are likely the team’s playoff starters in the backcourt. Gabe Vincent has played just a handful of contests this season but is finally healthy and ready to contribute. The Lakers are also trying to find wing minutes for Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Taurean Prince. It could leave Dinwiddie as the odd man out of their playoff rotation, especially if he is struggling in a series.
3. Gabe Vincent
It is between Vincent and Dinwiddie for the backup point guard role. The Lakers will have to limit the minutes with D’Angelo Russell and Vincent sharing the backcourt as both are just 6’3 and could create problems for their defense. LA is 15th in defensive rating this season and cannot afford to give up any more points if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Vincent played in the first four games before a knee injury knocked him out for nearly five months. The 27-year-old just returned on March 31 and can play a maximum of 12 contests this season.
He was the team’s marquee addition in the 2023 offseason. Vincent was the Heat’s starting point guard during their sprint to the NBA Finals last season. LA knew that playoff experience would be valuable as they try to make a run of their own.
Gabe Vincent has played just 14 minutes per game since returning. How much can he ramp up before the playoffs? If the 6’3 guard can only handle limited minutes, coach Ham may decide to distribute that playing time elsewhere. Vincent has not been the same player in LA, but they hope the Heat version appears just in time for the playoffs. If not, he could be cut from their rotation.
2. Jarred Vanderbilt
A foot injury has kept Vanderbilt out since Feb. 1, and the 6’8 forward has played just 29 games this season. He has been spotted working out and is expected to be evaluated during the final week of the regular season. The Lakers hope he can return, even if it is just to play a limited role in the playoffs.
Vando was a starter during last year’s run until the Golden State series in the second round. Head coach Darvin Ham began limiting his minutes and axed him completely for their final game against the Nuggets. His defense is a massive plus, but his lack of shooting can impact the offense and spacing.
Rui Hachimura’s stellar play down the stretch has cemented him into the starting five. It leaves Vanderbilt battling Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, and Cam Reddish for minutes. LeBron James will increase his workload in the playoffs, and coach Ham is more likely to ride a hot hand. Minutes will be difficult to come by, especially for a player just working his way back after a two-plus month absence.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s defense will earn him an opportunity, but his offensive game could keep him glued to the bench. He struggled mightily against the Nuggets in the 2023 playoffs, and Denver could again be a problematic matchup if Vando is healthy.
1. Taurean Prince
Prince has played the fifth-most minutes for the Lakers this season, but his playing time is trending down. He was moved to the bench in early February as Rui Hachimura jumped into the starting five. Over his last 26 games, Prince is averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.8 minutes per game, while shooting over 41.1 percent from 3-point range.
The Lakers are 24th in 3-pointers made this season. They need shooters around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Prince’s subpar defense could see him axed from the playoff rotation. The 6’6 wing has produced a negative-0.4 VORP this season, and the Lakers have a negative-3.1 net rating with Prince on the floor.
He played 20 minutes per game for the Timberwolves in the 2023 postseason, but finding that playing time will be more challenging in Los Angeles. Prince’s size and versatility will get him opportunities, but he may not stick in the rotation. Coach Ham will have options and could dictate his choices based on matchups and recent play.
The Los Angeles Lakers are heating up at the right time. They have won eight of their last nine games and believe they can make another deep playoff run. Stay tuned to see who coach Ham plays and how it all shakes out.