Ranking Lakers’ Roster – 2023 -2024 Season

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023 NBA offseason is officially over.

Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell all received new contracts. Anthony Davis signed a contract extension. Free agency produced numerous possible bargains, including the most recent acquisition, scoring big man Christian Wood, who fills this team’s need for a third big man.

The Los Angeles Lakers are headed by two of the game’s most explosive players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They’ve both played well against the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.

In other words, regardless of how you felt about the NBA offseason—excited about the Lakers’ injection of youth, concerned about the lack of a Russell Westbrook deal—it’s all but over.

One may say that it is LeBron James because to his superior scoring skills and excellent decision-making. However, in terms of statistics, Anthony Davis has been the Lakers’ greatest player.

So, presuming this is the roster Los Angeles will use in the regular season, let’s rate all 13 players (excluding training camp invitees and those with exhibit 10 pacts) according on their talent, predicted performance, and relevance to the club.

Ranking Lakers’ Roster Ahead Of Upcoming Season

1. LeBron James

Even though his 39th birthday has passed, King James retains his reign. In theory, he should be showing his age by now, but he just averaged the second-most points of his career (30.3) while shooting 52.4 percent from the field and adding 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks to his stat line.

But above all those numbers, his continuing dedication and passion for the game sets the tone for the Lakers as they enter the 2023-24 season.

LeBron James Career Stats
Minutes Played 38.1
Points 27.2
Assists 7.3
Rebounds 7.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 0.8

2. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is a superstar who can play center or power forward. He only played in 40 games last season, but he was the only player in the league to average 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

More than the stats, Davis and James provide Los Angeles with a lethal one-two punch. As long as Davis stays healthy, the Lakers will have an easier time contending at the top of the Western Conference with his natural ability to attack the rim and guard the other end with his shot-blocking abilities.

3. Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves has definitely cemented Los Angeles’ starting shooting guard place after a breakout 2022-23 season and an even more remarkable postseason performance. The 6-foot-5 rising star is predicted to take a step forward in Year 3 of his NBA career, averaging 10.2 points on over 40% three-point shooting, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Reaves possesses good intuition, a (usually) reliable three-ball, and almost endless energy reserves. He entered as an undrafted player on a two-way contract last summer and had his contract converted to a major league deal before the season began.

If everything goes as planned, Ham will have another offensive option to fall back on, especially when Davis or James are on the bench or unavailable. His three-point shooting also opens up the floor for these two All-Stars, allowing them to attack the hoop and score easily. Whatever the situation may be, Reaves is seeking to build a name for himself.

4. Rui Hachimura

There’s not much on Hachimura’s resume to support this rating, but his playoff performance seemed like an a-ha! moment. He’s always had great talents and a knack for scoring inside the arc, but he’s never showed greater potential as a defender or outside shooter. He’s only 25 years old, so it’s very feasible he’ll keep adding to his arsenal.

5. Christian Wood

With the recent acquisition of Christian Wood to the roster, the Lakers now have another option at center or power forward. With a 6-foot-10 stature and an average of 14.8 points (including 37% from three), 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.

Christian Wood – NBA Career Statistics
Minutes Played 24.2
Points 14.8
Assists 1.5
Rebounds 7.3
Steals 0.6
Blocks 0.9

6. D’Angelo Russell

Russell appears to be the least likely of the rotation regulars to complete the season on the roster. He is a good scorer with an ignitable shot who can create for himself and others, but he is frequently apathetic on defense and occasionally inefficient on offense.

D’Angelo Russell, projected to be the Lakers’ starting point guard, starts the 2023-24 season with a lot of potential. The one-time All-Star guard is more than capable of leading Los Angeles’ offense in the upcoming season, averaging 17.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

This relieves James of many of the tasks he typically bears, allowing him to assist on both ends of the court. And, while his defense is a concern, the offense Russell provides more than compensates for his shortcomings.

7. Gabe Vincent

It’s tempting to move Vincent up even more, since he appears to be a terrific on-paper fit for the Purple and Gold and may be coming into his own. Still, we can’t dismiss his career shooting slash of 39.9/33.9/85.2 simply because he had a fantastic shooting streak in the playoffs.

During that 22-game period, his postseason averages of 12.7 points on 37% shooting from deep, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists proved to be a significant component for the Eastern Conference squad to get that far in the 2023 playoffs.

Vincent’s acquisition to the Los Angeles Lakers’ squad brings from the bench shot creation, playmaking, and defensive grit. These characteristics will be useful, especially if some starters fail to make an impression at critical stages of a game.

8. Jarred Vanderbilt

He’s one of the league’s most versatile defenders, and he’s shown a delightful mix of finishing and passing. He’d rocket up these rankings if he could find a dependable outside shot.

If a club wants to go the distance in the playoffs, it needs a stopper. The Lakers can rely on Jarred Vanderbilt to keep the other team’s greatest player at bay. His 1.3 defensive box plus/minus rating, in addition to averaging 6.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steal a game, will be useful for Los Angeles.

9. Taurean Prince

Prince is entering his seventh NBA season, having built a career on his three-point shooting (37.2 percent lifetime) and defensive flexibility.

While Reddish has the benefit of youth, the Taurean Prince has more experience. While his recent statistics have dropped, the 6-foot-7 big’s sophomore season with the Hawks of 14.1 points on 38% shooting from deep, 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steal per game shows he’s a solid 3-and-D forward Los Angeles requires off the bench.

10. Jalen Hood-Schifino

Hood-Schifino’s style revolves around two-way playmaking, but his erratic shooting might restrict his floor time as a rookie.

Jalen Hood-Schifino, selected by the Lakers with the 27th choice in the 2023 NBA Draft, joins the league with a variety of accomplishments during his undergraduate career. During his tenure at Indiana University, the 6-foot-6 guard was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a member of the All-Freshmen Team.

11. Max Christie & Scotty Pippen Jr. 

If Christie takes the leap that Lakers supporters are hoping for, this rating will appear far too low in retrospect. For the time being, though, it’s difficult to rank him higher after only 512 minutes of play as a rookie.

Similar to Hood-Schifino, there is minimal hope for Max Christie and Scotty Pippen Jr. to see substantial court time. While these two second-year players are youthful and capable of providing energy off the bench for the Lakers, their inexperience prohibits them from contributing much. Again, the primary duty of these sophomores is to fill in for starters and primary reserves in the event of a major injury.

12. Jaxson Hayes

Hayes is physically capable of commanding the inside as a bouncy rim runner, but his efficacy has been inconsistent. His rebounding, shot-blocking, and field-goal percentage are all areas where he can improve.

With the departures of Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee in recent seasons, the Lakers lacked a real center capable of competing with the majority of the league’s big men. The arrival of Jaxson Hayes helps to cover that need, as the 6-foot-11 center has a strong motor to go along with his ability to glide to the rim for an easy goal.

13. Cam Reddish 

Cam Reddish Reddish aces the eye test with good size, length and athleticism, but inconsistencies and inefficiency has plagued him so far. He was a good buy-low choice, but if he doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity, he might not get another.

Cam Reddish, once considered one of the greatest prospects in his draft class, has gradually regressed to a bench position after multiple seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers. Now in his sixth season in the NBA, Reddish has the opportunity to make an impact for the Lakers by coming off the bench.

Reddish can generate immediate scoring from everywhere on the field, averaging 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. His 6-foot-8 stature also helps him to guard numerous spots, providing Los Angeles a reliable 3-and-D wing.

 

 

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