- The Los Angeles Lakers made it to the 2023 Western Conference Finals after starting the season 2-10
- The Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the conference finals
- The Lakers project to have a deep, talented starting lineup in 2023-24, headlined by two future Hall of Famers
It was a tale of two seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23. After starting the campaign 2-10, the Lakers made a flurry of moves at the 2023 February trade deadline and instantly turned into a contender.
Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley were traded and D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt came to the Lakers, who finished last season with 43 games. After winning the 7-8 play-in game at home, Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
LeBron James hinted at retirement after the Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the WCF, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will be back next season. So will Anthony Davis, who signed a new contract with Los Angeles this offseason.
Who else will start alongside LeBron and Davis next season? Let’s find out.
Point Guards
Starter: D’Angelo Russell
Reserve: Gabe Vincent
The Lakers acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2023 February trade deadline. The Ohio State product played well in his 17 games with Los Angeles, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Russell also put up strong numbers in the first two rounds of the 2023 playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. The Louisville native averaged 15.7 points and 5.0 assists and scored 31 points in Game 6 against the Grizzlies.
However, Russell was so poor against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals that many people around the NBA believed the Lakers shouldn’t have re-signed him this offseason. Russell averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 32.3% from the field and 13.3% from 3 as the Nuggets swept the Lakers.
Despite Russell’s struggles versus the Nuggets, the Lakers brought him back. For the first time in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, which started in 2019-20, Los Angeles prioritized continuity and chemistry over chasing flashier upgrades this offseason.
If Russell struggles again next season in crucial moments, the Lakers can bench him for Gabe Vincent, who left the Miami Heat for Los Angeles in free agency.
Shooting Guards
Starter: Austin Reaves
Reserves: Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Austin Reaves is arguably the third-best player on the Lakers behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Over the last two seasons, the Lakers are 13-26 without Reaves in the lineup and 63-62 when the guard plays.
In addition, the Lakers are three points better defensively with Reaves on the court. The Oklahoma product, who is an undrafted player, averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season for the Lakers while shooting 52.9% from the field, 39.8% from beyond the arc, and 86.4% from the free-throw line.
The 25-year-old Reaves took his game to another level in the 2023 postseason, averaging 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 16 games versus the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Nuggets.
Reaves signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Lakers in restricted free agency this offseason. He has career averages of 10.2 points and 2.6 assists with the Lakers. Reaves developed a good rapport with LeBron and Davis last season in the pick-and-roll game.
Small Forwards
Starter: Rui Hachimura
Reserves: Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Maxwell Lewis
The Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards last season. The Gonzaga product averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 regular-season games with Los Angeles.
Hachimura, 25, then put up 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the 2023 postseason versus the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Nuggets. The Lakers re-signed Hachimura this offseason in restricted free agency to a three-year, $51 million contract.
Hachimura has career averages of 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists with the Wizards and Lakers.
Power Forwards
Starter: LeBron James
Reserve: Jarred Vanderbilt
LeBron James signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last summer. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season. The future Hall of Famer averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists last season while shooting 50.0% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
LeBron then put up 24.5 points, 9.9 boards, and 6.5 assists per game in the 2023 playoffs against the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Nuggets. The King was still one of the best players in the world despite being 38 years old.
LeBron is averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 278 games with the Lakers. He guided the franchise to the 2020 championship over the Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida. LeBron will wear No. 23 again next season after ditching No. 6 to honor the late great Bill Russell.
Centers
Starter: Anthony Davis
Reserves: Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes
Anthony Davis “made it clear” to the Lakers that he wants to play fewer minutes at center next season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. However, look for Davis to start at center for Los Angeles next season.
The Lakers signed Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes this offseason, so there are more lineup possibilities to allow Davis to play power forward once the game starts and reserve players are put in.
Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Lakers this offseason. The Chicago native is committed to Los Angeles for five more years and approximately $270.5 million. Davis’ extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, is the richest extension in NBA history, with a projected average annual value of $62 million.
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks last season in 56 games while shooting 56.3% from the field, 25.7% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line.
The 30-year-old Davis finished the 2023 playoffs averaging 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.1 blocks in 16 games versus the Grizzlies, Warriors and Nuggets.
