The Los Angeles Lakers have slowly made some significant roster upgrades this offseason. After a very slow start in free agency, the Purple and Gold have come through by acquiring a solid mix of players to address their immediate needs.
As the new additions have strengthened the team, the overall makeup of the roster highlights an interesting balance of veteran experience and potential, with several young players playing an active role.
With this in mind, we take a look at the age breakdown across the Purple and Gold’s roster, while also examining the outlook this presents for the team.
Lakers’ Roster Distribution By Age:
LeBron James – 40 years old
Maxi Kleber – 33 years old
Marcus Smart – 31 years old
Gabe Vincent – 29 years old
Austin Reaves – 27 years old
Rui Hachimura – 27 years old
Jarred Vanderbilt – 26 years old
Luka Doncic – 26 years old
Deandre Ayton – 26 years old
Jaxson Hayes – 25 years old
Dalton Knecht – 24 years old
Jake LaRavia – 23 years old
Adou Thiero – 21 years old
Bronny James – 20 years old
The interesting thing about this team is that a majority of the players are in their early to mid-20s. But due to the presence of players like LeBron James, the Lakers’ average roster age is brought up to roughly 27, which only adds to the narrative of a balanced distribution of experience and youthful energy.
In many ways, the Purple and Gold have made additions with Luka Doncic‘s timeline in mind. At 26 years old, Doncic is on the brink of entering his physical prime. Considering his future as the franchise cornerstone, the Lakers have done well to acquire talent in the same age bracket.
Having three players over 30 with at least seven years of experience is also of benefit. Veteran experience is invaluable, especially when navigating the regular season.
With the addition of Marcus Smart, the Lakers have acquired a savvy veteran who is a capable leader and can be a great influence on the younger players on the team. A veteran big man like Maxi Kleber may not receive a lot of playing time, but his experience and intelligence will be crucial in reinforcing the roster strength.
Meanwhile, the young players on the team have their roles to play. The development of players like Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, who will be entering their sophomore seasons, has been worth tracking.
Although Knecht’s performance at the Las Vegas Summer League left much to be desired, the sharpshooter is expected to take some big steps this season. Given the kind of interest he has garnered from other teams in the offseason, Knecht has also been viewed as a valuable trade asset, although his stock has taken a small hit.
Meanwhile, Bronny has made noticeable strides in improvement over the summer. His performances at Summer League displayed his development as an all-around player while also showcasing sharper game instincts and awareness. With great expectations of him in the upcoming season, the 20-year-old could earn a lot of playing time if he can sustain his form.
Other young players like Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero will be looking to make their debut with the Lakers this season. While LaRavia enters his third year, the Lakers will expect meaningful contributions from him, as he acts as the replacement for Dorian Finney-Smith.
Meanwhile, Thiero boasts immense athletic ability and prowess. His value as a wing defender and slasher will be put to the test in his rookie campaign with the Purple and Gold.
With the key pieces such as Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura in their mid-20s, the Lakers are served by capable players who have gained valuable experience while still presenting room for future growth.
All things considered, the Purple and Gold have constructed a formidable roster, featuring solid role players and contributors in every position. But when factoring in the kind of reinforcements other teams in the West have brought in, the Lakers cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
