The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines by drafting Bronny James and Dalton Knecht during the NBA Draft, signaling a major success when it comes to taking young talent and also helping their marketing power. However, since the draft, the Lakers have not found success this summer because LeBron James and Anthony Davis will not be too happy with how the roster is looking as we count the months until the 2024-25 NBA season.
Point Guards
D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent
While D’Angelo Russell brings offensive firepower, averaging 18.0 points and 6.3 assists last season, his defensive liabilities are a significant concern. His inconsistency in playoff performances, evidenced by his 31.8% shooting from three in the 2023-24 playoffs, raises doubts about his reliability in crucial moments. At a salary of $18.7 million for the 2024-25 season, his performance doesn’t always justify the cost, leading to questions about his fit on a championship-contending roster. This inconsistency and defensive shortfall make him less than ideal for a team aiming for a title which is why he could be dangled in trade rumors.
Gabe Vincent, earning $11 million for the 2024-25 season, is a solid backup point guard but lacks the star power needed for a championship run. However, he only appeared in 11 games last year and injuries have so far derailed his stint with the Lakers. Vincent’s limitations highlight the Lakers’ lack of depth and quality at the point guard position, which could be problematic in their pursuit of a championship.
Shooting Guards
Austin Reaves, Bronny James, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Austin Reaves, with a salary of $13 million for the 2024-25 season, has emerged as a reliable shooting guard, averaging 15.9 points and 5.5 assists last season. His efficiency, shooting 48.6% from the field and 36.7% from three, makes him a valuable asset. However, while Reaves is a solid contributor, he’s not the star player who can carry the team in high-stakes situations and there are doubts about his impact as a third option.
Bronny James, on a rookie contract, brings potential but is unproven at the NBA level. His collegiate performance did not exactly show promise and relying on a rookie for significant contributions is risky for a team with championship aspirations. The Lakers did not have a better choice to pick with the No. 55 overall pick in terms of potential and marketing and the storyline of LeBron and Bronny will be more than interesting all year.
Max Christie, earning $7.4 million for the 2024-25 season, is still developing and averaged 4.2 points in limited minutes (14.1) last season. While he has shown flashes of potential, his inconsistency and inexperience make him a questionable piece for a championship roster. The Lakers believe in Christie but the youngster needs to be better this season to help the Lakers which could be asking too much right now.
The 21-year-old Jalen Hood-Schifino, another young player on a rookie contract, adds depth to the shooting guard position but is largely unproven. He has some potential, but translating that success to the NBA level is uncertain. As with Bronny James, expecting immediate contributions from a youngster can be problematic for a team with championship ambitions.
Small Forwards
LeBron James, Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, Maxwell Lewis
LeBron James has rejected his $54.1 million player option but will likely sign a long-term deal with the Lakers to see out his career. Despite his age, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists last season, showcasing his enduring dominance. However, relying heavily on a nearly 40-year-old superstar highlights the lack of elite supporting talent. LeBron needs more consistent and high-level support to relieve the burden and maximize his championship window.
Dalton Knecht is one of the few bright spots for the Lakers in the 2024-25 NBA season because he is a steal at No. 17 overall. To start the season, Knecht’s role will likely be limited, and expecting significant contributions from him is unrealistic. However, the shooter will likely improve as the months go by and he could end up becoming a favorite role player for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Cam Reddish, earning $2.5 million for the 2024-25 season, has shown potential but struggled with consistency throughout his career. Last season, he averaged 5.4 points and 2.1 rebounds, showing glimpses of his talent but failing to establish himself as a reliable option. Reddish’s defensive potential is an asset, but his offensive inconsistency makes him a questionable fit for the Lakers.
The 21-year-old Maxwell Lewis, on a rookie contract, is another young and unproven player. The 6’7” Lewis will need time to develop, and relying on him for immediate impact could be problematic because the forward spots are looking very thin when it comes to experience levels.
Power Forwards
Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt
Rui Hachimura, with a salary of $17 million for the 2024-25 season, has shown growth but remains inconsistent. He averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, providing solid production but not star-level impact. Hachimura’s defensive lapses and streaky shooting are concerns for a team aiming for a title. His role needs to be more defined and consistent for him to be a valuable asset in the Lakers’ championship pursuit, and he can’t be an afterthought anymore.
Jarred Vanderbilt, earning $10.7 million for the 2024-25 season, is a defensive specialist but offers limited offensive production. Last season, he averaged 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in only 29 appearances. Vanderbilt was not healthy and the Lakers are hoping he can return to form because without him at his best, the team will continue struggling defensively.
Centers
Anthony Davis, Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes
Anthony Davis, with a salary of $43.2 million for the 2024-25 season, remains a dominant force when healthy, averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks last season. However, his injury history is a significant concern, as he has missed substantial time in recent seasons with only last season being an example of at least 65 games played. Relying heavily on Davis, given his health issues, adds to the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers’ championship aspirations. The team needs a reliable backup plan for Davis to mitigate the risk of his potential absences which they don’t have.
Christian Wood, earning $3.0 million for the 2024-25 season, provides scoring and rebounding off the bench, averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. While Wood’s offensive skills are valuable, his defensive shortcomings are a concern and he only appeared in 50 games last year. Too many worrying signs for Wood as things stand.
Finally, the 24-year-old Jaxson Hayes, on a $2.5 million contract for the 2024-25 season, offers athleticism and shot-blocking but remains raw offensively. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds last season, showing potential but lacking consistency. No doubt, nobody on the Lakers is impressed with the big man depth behind Anthony Davis.
LeBron James And Anthony Davis Do Not Have A Star To Rely On
The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster for the 2024-25 season leaves much to be desired, especially considering the championship aspirations of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Missing out on key free agents like Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks), Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers), and Jonas Valanciunas (Washington Wizards) has left the team without a reliable third star. While DeMar DeRozan remains unsigned, the potential need to offer LeBron a max deal further complicates their cap space situation.
Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell have yet to prove themselves as dependable options in critical moments, and Rui Hachimura has not shown significant improvement. Additionally, injury concerns surrounding key role players like Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt exacerbate the situation.
Without a reliable third star, the Lakers face an uphill battle to compete with Western Conference powerhouses like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks. This lack of depth and star power could hinder their chances of making a deep playoff run, leaving James and Davis frustrated with the current state of the roster.
