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2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers By Tiers

By Eddie Bitar,

7 hours ago

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2024-25 NBA season with a ton of expectations, but that isn’t anything new for them considering LeBron James and Anthony Davis have already delivered an NBA championship for the franchise in the 2019-20 season. The Lakers are looking to win an NBA title by any means necessary, and whether they have the roster good enough to compete or not remains to be seen. To get the preliminary answer, we have divided the Lakers’ roster into six tiers.

Tier 1: Superstars

LeBron James, Anthony Davis

LeBron James, entering his 22nd NBA season, continues to defy Father Time with his remarkable consistency and high level of play. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to score, facilitate, and impact the game in various ways. Despite his age, nearing 40 years old, LeBron remains the emotional and tactical leader of the Lakers. His leadership on and off the court sets the tone for the team, and he is still a top-10 player in the world. No doubt, James is the star of the show in Los Angeles.

Anthony Davis is the backbone of the Lakers' defense and one of the most dominant big men in the NBA when healthy. Last season, he put up averages of 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, solidifying his reputation as a premier two-way player. Known for his versatility, Davis can defend multiple positions, score inside and out, and control the boards. However, his health remains a concern; his ability to stay on the court for extended periods is crucial for the Lakers' success. If Davis remains healthy throughout the season as he was in 2023-24 (76 appearances), the Lakers could be a serious contender in the Western Conference.

Tier 2: All-Stars

None

Tier 3: Fringe All-Stars

D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell , the Lakers' floor general, is known for his smooth shooting stroke and ability to create offense both for himself and his teammates. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 per game while shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc. Russell's ability to score from the perimeter and run the pick-and-roll is invaluable to the Lakers’ offense, but his defense and consistency remain points of concern. As a "fringe All-Star," Russell has the potential to be an X-factor for the Lakers, especially if he can elevate his defensive play and maintain his offensive efficiency in key moments. However, his struggles in last season’s playoffs were evident as he averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists per game on 31.8% from deep.

Tier 4: Key Role Players

Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish

Austin Reaves is one of the Lakers' most versatile and dependable role players. During the 2023-24 season, Reaves averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 36.7% from three-point range. His ability to handle the ball, knock down shots from deep, and provide gritty defense makes him a perfect complement to the Lakers' star players. Reaves' high basketball IQ and tenacity on both ends of the floor have earned him significant playing time and trust from the coaching staff, and his development will be vital to the Lakers' aspirations.

Rui Hachimura brings a strong combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability to the Lakers' rotation. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Hachimura's ability to score in the mid-range, finish at the rim, and guard multiple positions provides the Lakers with versatility on both ends of the court. No doubt, Hachimura's continued improvement in three-point shooting could make him an even more dangerous weapon for the Lakers because he shot at least 40% from deep for the second time in his career last season.

Jarred Vanderbilt is the Lakers' defensive specialist and energy player who does all the little things that don't always show up in the box score. In the 2023-24 season, Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, showcasing his impact on defense and the boards. His ability to guard multiple positions, hustle for loose balls, and create extra possessions makes him a valuable asset in high-intensity games. While his offensive game is limited, his tenacity and defensive versatility are essential for the Lakers, especially against top-tier opponents.

Cam Reddish joined the Lakers with high expectations to utilize his length, athleticism, and potential as a two-way wing. Last season, he put up modest numbers with 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, but his defensive potential and ability to slash to the basket make him an intriguing prospect. Reddish needs to improve his consistency, particularly his three-point shooting, which was at 33.6% last season. If he can develop into a reliable 3-and-D option, Reddish could become a vital rotational player who can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Tier 5: Supplementary Pieces

Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Max Christie, Dalton Knecht

Gabe Vincent will need to stay healthy for the Lakers next season after only having 11 appearances. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 assists per game, but these stats are negligible considering he hardly played. Known for his gritty defense and ability to hit timely shots, Vincent brings a competitive edge that the Lakers value. His experience in high-pressure situations, including deep playoff runs with Miami, adds depth to the Lakers' backcourt rotation if he is available.

The 24-year-old Jaxson Hayes offers the Lakers an athletic big man who can run the floor, protect the rim, and finish lobs. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game last season, providing energy and hustle in his limited minutes. Hayes' ability to block shots and defend the paint makes him a valuable piece off the bench, especially in lineups that need a burst of athleticism and size. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but his potential as a rim protector is something the Lakers will look to utilize.

Max Christie, a young shooting guard with potential as a 3-and-D contributor, has shown glimpses of his talent during his rookie season. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 35.6% from three-point range in limited minutes (14.1 MPG). Christie’s length and defensive instincts make him a promising perimeter defender, and if he continues to develop his shooting and shot-creation skills, he could become a valuable role player for the Lakers. His growth in his third season will be closely watched.

Dalton Knecht, a rookie with a knack for scoring, brings intrigue as a potential offensive spark off the bench. He impressed in college with his shooting and ability to create his own shot, and now he aims to translate that to the NBA level. While his role will likely be limited in his first season, Knecht’s development as a scorer and defender could determine his future with the team. The Lakers hope he can provide depth and shooting in spot minutes.

Tier 6: Bench

Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Bronny James, Maxwell Lewis

Christian Wood is a versatile big man with the ability to stretch the floor and score in various ways. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, providing solid offensive contributions off the bench. While his defensive consistency has been questioned, Wood's offensive skill set makes him a valuable depth piece who can score in bunches and create mismatches against opposing bigs.

Former No. 17 overall pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, a promising young guard, brings a mix of size, playmaking, and defensive potential to the Lakers. Although he saw limited action in his rookie season, he showed flashes of his ability to run the offense and defend multiple positions. As he continues to develop his shooting and decision-making, Hood-Schifino could become a more significant contributor to the Lakers' backcourt rotation.

Bronny James enters his rookie season with significant attention and potential, obviously for being LeBron James' son. Known for his high basketball IQ, perimeter defense, and shooting ability, Bronny will likely have a learning curve as he adjusts to the NBA level. His development will be closely watched, and his ability to carve out a role in the rotation will depend on how quickly he can adapt to the speed and physicality of the professional game although he might spend most of the year in the G-League.

Maxwell Lewis is an athletic wing with the potential to contribute on both ends of the floor. He spent most of last season developing in the G League, where he showcased his ability to slash to the basket and defend multiple positions. Lewis' future role with the Lakers will depend on his continued growth as a shooter and defender because he only appeared in 34 games in 3.0 minutes per game.

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