The Los Angeles Lakers have made upgrades to their roster so here are the projected rotations for the 2023-2024 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the most miraculous seasons last year, starting the year off 2-10, sitting as the 13th seed at the trade deadline, making big moves and going 18-9 in their last 27 games to make the Play-In Tournament. LA then won the Play-in and made it to the Western Conference Finals.
After their performance in the Western Conference Finals, it was noticeable that, despite their improbable turnaround, the Lakers still had some flaws. They lacked defensive depth at the guard and center spots and lacked consistent scoring outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers made a ton of offseason moves that will put them in a position to win a championship, though. With all those moves, the Lakers need to figure out their new rotations, so here is the projected Lakers rotation for the 2023-24 season.
Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard: D'Angelo Russell
It is not a big mystery as to who the Lakers starting point guard will be: It's D'Angelo Russell. Last season, Russell averaged 17.8 points, 3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, on 47/40/83 splits. In the playoffs, he struggled averaging 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assist on 43/31/76 splits.
Despite Russell's struggle in the playoffs, he is unquestionably the most talented point guard the Lakers have. He can do everything offensively — score, shoot, and is a decent playmaker. All of these attributes are great to have alongside LeBron James. Russell is good enough that he can take over the game or run the offense with Anthony Davis when LeBron isn't on the court.
Primary backup point guard: Gabe Vincent
In the playoffs, Russell became a defensive liability against the Nuggets and, at times, he became unplayable. That's where the Lakers' backups will come into play massively. LA's primary backup point guard will be Gabe Vincent.
Last season, Vincent didn't have the best campaign as he averaged 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 40/33/87 splits. Vincent regained his flowers in the playoffs, however, as he averaged 12.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 40/38/88 splits.
Even though his field goal percentage isn't the best, the Lakers only need Vincent to make 3s and play great defense. A role that Vincent was very comfortable with and bringing part of his Heat culture DNA to the Lakers will certainly help pilot the team's defensive unit off the bench.
Other players who could receive minutes at point guard: Scottie Pippen Jr.
The other Laker listed as a point guard is Scottie Pippen Jr. Last season, he only played in six games, so he hasn't gotten the chance to prove himself. If either Vincent or Russell suffers an injury, Pippen Jr. will have the perfect opportunity to prove himself in the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers starting shooting guard: Austin Reaves
The Lakers starting shooting guard will be none other than Austin Reaves. Reaves went undrafted in 2021 and saw a solid amount of playing time in his rookie year. He really took a jump this past season, averaging 13 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists on 53/40/86 splits. Once the trade deadline rolled around, Reaves took off averaging 16.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, on 58/46/83 splits. Then in the postseason, Reaves played just as well, averaging 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists on 46/44/90 splits.
There was a direct correlation between the Lakers' late season success and the play of Reaves, who earned himself the starting shooting guard spot. No one should be surprised if he takes another leap this year and becomes a fringe All-Star. Reaves has become a player LeBron and the Lakers can rely on to play big on the brightest stage.
Primary backup shooting guard: Max Christie
When it comes to the Lakers backup shooting guards, there are not many. But Max Christie is currently their best backup two-guard. Christie received minimal playing time in the 41 games he appeared in last season, where he was very solid from the 3-point line and from the free throw line.
Christie played for the Lakers this Summer League and, in every game besides one, he scored well over 20 points and, more importantly, was very efficient from 3. Christie's play in the Summer League will earn him one of the backup guard spots for the Lakers.
Other players who could receive minutes at shooting guard: D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent
Los Angeles Lakers starting small forward: LeBron James
It's unprecedented that someone entering the 21st season at age 39 can still be one of the 10 best players in the NBA.
Obviously, the Lakers starting small forward is going to be LeBron James. In his 20th season, LeBron averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists on 50 percent shooting from the field.
The one thing that has plagued LeBron every single season in LA besides one is injuries. Most of that had to do with him carrying the burden to do everything for the team. The way this team is currently structured, James won't need to do everything and can pick and choose his spots during the regular season.
The most important thing for the Lakers is that LeBron is 100 percent healthy for the playoffs.
Primary backup small forward: Taurean Prince
The Lakers have signed two solid backup forwards to play in for LeBron, the first being Taurean Prince. Last season for the Timberwolves, Prince averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, on 47/39/84 splits.
Prince won't be asked to play any bigger of a role than what he played last season. All the Lakers will ask him to do is make 3s at a consistent clip and play some solid defense. Prince is the perfect guy for this Lakers team because he'll have a game where he makes six 3s and he is big enough to play from the 2-4 spots in the rotation.
Other players who could receive minutes at small forward: Cam Reddish
The Lakers' third small forward on the roster is Cam Reddish. Last season, he averaged 9.7 points on 44/31/85 splits. Reddish is going to see a reduced role with LA to start the season because of his trouble shooting the ball. Outside of his shooting, Reddish gives you great hustle in transition, is great at backdoor cuts, and contributes on defense.
The Lakers finally have depth at their small forward spot which they've lacked for the last few seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers starting power forward: Jarred Vanderbilt
The power forward spot the Lakers has a bit of depth at that position with players that are versatile enough to play the 4, but their starting power forward will be Jarred Vanderbilt.
Last season in his 26 games for the Lakers, Vanderbilt only averaged 24 minutes per game. But in those minutes, he gave the Lakers 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest.
When the Lakers received Vanderbilt from the Timberwolves, the defense immediately took off and became the best defensive team in basketball for the team's last 26 games. Vanderbilt had some impact on the Lakers' defensive effort and that's a big reason why he will be in the starting lineup for LA this season.
Primary backup power forward: Rui Hachimura
The Lakers have a couple of options at their backup spot as Taurean Prince could play power forward from time to time, but the main backup will be Rui Hachimura. In his 33 regular season games for the Lakers in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds on 49/30/72 splits.
Hachimura really showed out in the playoffs as he averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. What was most impressive, though, was his efficiency, shooting 56 percent from the field, 49 percent from 3-point range, and 88 percent from the free throw line. Hachimura isn't going to be this efficient for an entire season but, if he's able to maintain a similar play for next season, the Lakers will have one of the best benches and sixth man in the league.
Other players who could receive minutes at power forward: Taurean Prince, Cole Swider
The Lakers do have one more option at their forward spot, which is Cole Swider, who played in seven games last season but also played really well in the Summer League this offseason. Swider is going to have to play himself into a role, so don't expect to see him much on the court to start the season.
Los Angeles Lakers starting center: Anthony Davis
The starting center for the Lakers is also obvious as it will be Anthony Davis. Last season, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assist, 1.0 steal and 2.0 blocks on 56 percent shooting from the field.
Davis is going to have to take on the responsibility of being the best player on this team for the majority of the regular season. In the postseason, the games that the Lakers won were the ones where Davis was extraordinary. As the team's best defender, the defensive tone will fall in line right behind him and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Withy Davis as the starting center, the Lakers will have the same starting lineup that used for the postseason last year. LA should run it back with that starting lineup to begin the season as all five of those players have great chemistry with one another and was their best lineup statistically.
Primary backup center: Jaxson Hayes
The Lakers have lacked a solid backup center for the last three seasons, but they finally got one in Jaxson Hayes. Last season for the Pelicans, he averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds on 55 percent shooting from the field.
Hayes will bring size and athleticism to the Lakers as he is great in transition and a high-flyer. In the Lakers half-court offense, he will primarily be used as a screen setter and lob threat. He will also bring solid defense which the Lakers have lacked at.
Other players who could see minutes at center: Wenyen Gabriel
The Lakers other center off the bench is Wenyen Gabriel. As long as Davis and Hayes stay healthy, Gabriel will not see the court that often. As a 6-foot-9 center, Gabriel's main role will be to stay on the bench and be ready. When he does play he'll provide a few great hustle plays but won't see the court that much unless someones is hurt.
