Projecting the Los Angeles Lakers 15-Man Roster
Pending any shocking trades or free agency acquisitions made by newly extended general manager Rob Pelinka, the Los Angeles Lakers roster is shaping up to be a diverse unit with depth and competition at nearly every position.
However, with the preseason nearing an end and the NBA season opener against the reigning champion Golden State Warriors only days away, Pelinka and Lakers head coach Darvin Ham will have their hands full with trimming the roster down to 15 players and the two athletes warranted a two-way player contract.
Here is a look into which players will be on the Los Angeles Lakers regular-season roster.
Guards (6)
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Players: Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley, Dennis Schröder, Austin Reaves, and Max Christie
Analysis: As the deepest position group on the roster, the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason made headlines by acquiring Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schröder, somewhat signaling a Russell Westbrook trade was looming in the shadows. However, with six preseason games finished and Westbrook still on the roster, Lakers fans and the media can expect Russ to be the starting point guard moving forward.
The problem now is who Ham will pair with him in the backcourt, considering both Beverley and Kendrick Nunn have had their fair share of opportunities with Russ. Another candidate who can possibly be the starting shooting guard is Austin Reaves, who has had a noteworthy preseason showcasing his improved playmaking, shooting, and activity on defense—leaving Schröder to come off the bench as a combo guard similar to his role with Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder.
On the other hand, Max Christie is someone you will not see consistently on the court, as Christie will likely split his time between the Lakers bench and the team’s G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Wings (5)
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Players: LeBron James, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr., and Juan Toscano-Anderson
Analysis: Taking a younger and more athletic approach to the wing position, the team added Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr, and Juan Toscano-Anderson this offseason to provide the offensive and defensive consistency the Lakers were severely lacking last season.
Entering his 20th year in the NBA, LeBron James has a lot on his shoulders, from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA all-time scoring list to carrying the Lakers back to the postseason after arguably the “worst” season in Lakers history. However, can James stay healthy and continue to play at a superstar level?
When it comes to the addition of Walker IV, Laker fans can expect him to be the three-and-D version of Malik Monk due to his ability to push the pace, play off the ball, and his capability to get hot at any moment. Next is Brown Jr., an athletic wing who can slash to the paint, defend positions one through three, and is continuing to improve his jump shot, averaging a career-high three-point percentage of 35 with the Chicago Bulls last season.
Finally, to add championship experience to the roster, Pelinka added JTA, a versatile wing, agile defender known to convert defense into offense.
Bigs (4)
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Players: Anthony Davis, Damian Jones, Thomas Bryant, and Wenyen Gabriel
Analysis: After coming off two injury-plagued seasons and not playing to his expectations, Anthony Davis will have many eyes on him this year. Ham plans to make AD the focal point of the offense and the go-to superstar, similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo. So far, I would say he has excelled in his projected role but with questions surrounding his health and ability to consistently deliver on the court. Who knows what Lakers fans can expect from Davis?
Supporting him in the front court will be free agent acquisitions Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant, who are complementary to Davis’s game. Jones, the traditional center of the group, will allow Davis to stretch the floor and not worry too much about protecting the paint, similar to Javale McGee. At the same time, Bryant will be the running mate like Dwight Howard with his high motor, back-to-basket, and ability to extend his range.
Finally, the last player to make the roster will be a candidate that was likely to be cut in the offseason but earned a spot as a rotational forward. That player is Wenyen Gabriel, who was a star this preseason, hustling on both ends of the floor, finishing strong near the rim, and appearing comfortable in the Darvin Ham system.
Two-Way Contracts (2)
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Players: Scotty Pippen Jr. (Not Guaranteed) and Matt Ryan
Analysis: When projecting what final two players will receive the everchanging two-way contacts, I chose the athletes based on their performance in the preseason and how Ham has used them so far. Ultimately deciding, those two players were Scotty Pippen Jr. and Matt Ryan.
Starting with Ryan, out of all the available options to receive the two-way contract, I felt he was the most deserving because performance against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the three-point line. Another reason I believe he will make the roster is that he beat undrafted rookie Cole Swider for the “shooter” role the Lakers have steadily been eyeing this offseason.
For Pippen Jr., I am a bit concerned about whether he may receive a two-way contract because although he had moments of success, his turnovers and propensity to look lost at times have concerned me. The former Vanderbilt guard has not lived up to being the playmaking floor general we saw at the Las Vegas Summer League. Although he seems to be the likely candidate to receive the contract, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lakers were to offer another free agent the two-way contract.
Overall, although this 15-man roster has to potential to be a dark horse contender in the Western Conference, can this roster stay healthy, find chemistry, and not succumb to the pressure that is social media?
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