8. JaVale McGee
McGee was a key part of the Lakers 2020 championship team. He started for the majority of the season and took some pressure off Anthony Davis. McGee was called on to protect the rim, rebound, and finish inside.
Since leaving Los Angeles, the veteran has played for five different teams in the last four years. He has won three rings in his career and continues to help contenders. McGee had a disastrous season in Dallas in 2023 where he signed to be the starter, but quickly fell out of their rotation. The Mavericks bought him out, and he ended up in Sacramento. McGee is averaging just 8.1 minutes per game and his playing time is decreasing as the season progresses.
The 36-year-old is well past his prime but can provide an impact in limited minutes. He could be available, and it would allow AD to play the four for a brief window every night.
Verdict: The Los Angeles Lakers have Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes to eat minutes at the five when Anthony Davis is not playing there. In the playoffs, the franchise is better off going small whenever AD needs a rest. McGee is not the same player he was in 2020 and cannot make a significant postseason impact on the Lakers.