The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a disappointing 2023-24 season, despite winning the inaugural in-season tournament. They finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, placing them 7th in the Western Conference. While expectations were high following a series of offseason moves, the Lakers struggled with inconsistency and uncertainty throughout the season.
Ultimately, they were bounced out in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in five games, leading to the firing of head coach Darvin Ham. Now under new leadership with JJ Redick as head coach, the Lakers are hoping to bounce back and make a deeper playoff run. However, the roster remains largely unchanged, with only two new players joining the squad.
Let’s take a look at their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.
Point Guard (PG)
Starter: D’Angelo Russell
Reserves: Gabe Vincent, Bronny James, Jordan Goodwin
D’Angelo Russell had a strong regular season, averaging 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and an impressive 41.5% from three-point range. Russell even set a Lakers franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single season, with 187 shots from beyond the arc.
Despite his regular-season success, Russell struggled in the playoffs, particularly against the Nuggets. With this being the final year of his contract, Russell will need to perform at a high level if he wants to secure his future in Los Angeles, as the Lakers could look to trade him if he underperforms.
Gabe Vincent struggled in his first year with the Lakers, dealing with injuries early on and managing only 3.1 points and 1.9 assists per game on 30.6% shooting. He will be looking to have a bounce-back season and become a more reliable contributor off the bench. Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, will make his NBA debut this season, and his development will be one of the most-watched storylines. Jordan Goodwin rounds out the point guard depth, providing additional defense and energy off the bench.
Shooting Guard (SG)
Starter: Austin Reaves
Reserves: Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Quincy Olivari
Austin Reaves continues his rise as a key player for the Lakers. Last season, Reaves posted career-high numbers with 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, shooting 48.6% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. Reaves has become a fan favorite due to his hustle, versatility, and ability to perform in big moments. He will be expected to take another step forward as a core piece of the Lakers’ future.
Max Christie and rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino will provide depth at shooting guard, with both players offering a combination of youth, shooting, and defensive potential. Quincy Olivari adds further depth to the backcourt, though his minutes may be limited in a crowded rotation.
Small Forward (SF)
Starter: LeBron James
Reserves: Dalton Knecht, Cameron Reddish, Armel Traore
LeBron James continues to defy Father Time as he enters his 22nd NBA season, a feat only Vince Carter has achieved. Last season, LeBron showed he is still one of the league’s top players, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 54.0% from the field and a career-best 41.0% from three-point range. Even at 39, LeBron remains the focal point of the Lakers’ offense, but with each passing year, the pressure mounts for the team to capitalize on his remaining seasons.
Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is considered one of the steals of the draft. Knecht’s shooting and versatility make him an intriguing prospect, and he will be eager to make an impact in his rookie season. Cameron Reddish, a former lottery pick, will look to revitalize his career in Los Angeles, while Armel Traore adds depth to the small forward rotation.
Power Forward (PF)
Starter: Rui Hachimura
Reserves: Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxwell Lewis, Kylor Kelley
Rui Hachimura solidified himself as the Lakers’ starting power forward last season, averaging 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 53.7% from the field and an impressive 42.2% from beyond the arc. Hachimura showed glimpses of being a key contributor during the playoffs and will look to build on that momentum as he establishes himself as a long-term piece for the Lakers.
Jarred Vanderbilt had a tough season, playing only 29 games due to injuries. Known for his defense and energy, Vanderbilt’s presence was missed, but when healthy, he can be an elite defender and disruptor. He averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 51.8% shooting. Maxwell Lewis and Kylor Kelley provide depth, with Lewis in particular being a young player with intriguing potential as a two-way forward.
Center (C)
Starter: Anthony Davis
Reserves: Jaxson Hayes, Christian Koloko, Colin Castleton, Christian Wood
Anthony Davis managed to play a career-high 76 games last season, finally putting to rest some of the concerns about his durability. Davis had a monster season, averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 55.6% from the field. Davis remains one of the best two-way players in the league, and the Lakers will continue to rely heavily on him as they transition away from LeBron James as their primary star.
Behind Davis, the Lakers have added Jaxson Hayes, a high-energy big man who brings athleticism and shot-blocking. Christian Koloko and Colin Castleton offer additional size and rim protection, while Christian Wood provides floor-spacing and scoring off the bench. Wood’s ability to stretch the floor with his shooting gives the Lakers another offensive weapon in their frontcourt rotation.
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2024-25 season with high expectations and pressure, especially given that LeBron James is nearing the twilight of his career. Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves will need to take on bigger roles to help carry the load, while D’Angelo Russell will be motivated to prove himself in a contract year. With new head coach JJ Redick at the helm, the Lakers will be looking to implement fresh ideas and schemes to get the most out of their talented roster.
The Lakers arguably still have two of the top 10 players in the league with LeBron and Davis, yet they are not considered one of the favorites for the title. Much of their success will hinge on health and chemistry, especially since they have opted to run it back with a similar roster from last season.
Redick will be under pressure to deliver results, and the team will not want to waste what could be LeBron’s final years in the NBA. The Lakers have the talent to make noise in the playoffs, but whether they can put it all together remains to be seen.
Here are all the projected lineups we’ve done so far:
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2024-25 Denver Nuggets Projected Starting Lineup
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2024-25 Houston Rockets Projected Starting Lineup
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2024-25 Los Angeles Clippers Projected Starting Lineup
