2025-2026 LAKERS ROSTER AS IS STATS PREDICTIONS
WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER
All things considered, things could have gone a lot worse for Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.
The loss of 3&D poster boy Dorian Finney-Smith (signed 4-year, $53 million deal with Houston) was a difficult pill to digest, but adding Deandre Ayton (2 years, $16.2 million) x Jake Laravia (2 years, $12 million) with his cap space alleviated the discomfort. Many fans seem dissatisfied with the lack of movement (aside from the retainment of Jaxson Hayes + prior #36 selection of Adou Thiero to further fortify the frontcourt depth which was so blatantly absent last year) since the aforementioned 2-for-1, but let’s not pretend as if this is still not a roster with the potential to contend AS IS looking ahead to the 2025-2026 NBA season.
There is likely at least one more move in the making, but that could take a bit to manifest as the front office keeps tabs on any potential buyout targets (looking at you, Washington). We have seen Rob Pelinka keep a spare roster spot open to start the season in previous years, perhaps history repeats itself and the execs play the patience card. Regardless of what they decide to do, a lot of people are snoozing on the potential of the presently constructed Lakers roster and, more specifically, the things it can accomplish next SZN. Luka Slim looks like a different person, and should be all settled in following a full offseason with the greatest organization in basketball. And with the same co-stars by his side PLUS a majority of last year’s supporting cast back in the mix, the core nucleus of this team should be much more comfortable on the court together now compared to the conclusion of last year.
Sprinkling a high quality big body like Ayton into the equation calls for sacrifice from some of the other high quality hoopers on this team. That means guys are going to have to embrace a slightly reduced diet of shots/points while simultaneously finding other ways to contribute on both ends of the floor. If the entire roster completely buys into this philosophy, a championship is attainable.
Without any psychic abilities for perfectly projecting numbers and/or how they translate to success, here is how we foresee the statistical numbers shaking out for the Lakers projected depth chart this season.
STARTERS
PG: LUKA DONCIC | 6’7” | 230 LBS | 26 YEARS
35 MPG x 25 PPG x 8 RPG x 9 APG x 1 SPG x 0 BPG x 45% FG x 37% 3FG x 77% FT
SG: AUSTIN REAVES | 6’5” | 197 LBS | 27 YEARS
33 MPG x 21 PPG x 4 RPG x 5 APG x 1 SPG x 0 BPG x 44% FG x 36% 3FG x 87% FT
SF: JARRED VANDERBILT | 6’8” | 215 LBS | 26 YEARS
19 MPG x 3 PPG x 5 RPG x APG x 1 SPG x 1 BPG x 52% FG x 30% 3FG x 55% FT
PF: LEBRON JAMES | 6’9” | 250 LBS | 40 YEARS
30 MPG x 18 PPG x 6 RPG x 7 APG x 1 SPG x 1 BPG x 49% FG x 39% 3FG x 76% FT
C: DEANDRE AYTON | 7’0” | 252 LBS | 26 YEARS
27 MPG x 13 PPG x 9 RPG x 1 APG x 1 SPG x 1 BPG x 58% FG x 20% 3FG x 75% FT
BENCH
PG: GABE VINCENT | 6’2” | 200 LBS | 29 YEARS
18 MPG x 6 PPG x 1 RPG x 2 APG x 1 SPG x 0 BPG x 41% FG x 37% 3FG x 74% FT
SG: DALTON KNECHT | 6’6” | 215 LBS | 24 YEARS
17 MPG x 10 PPG x 3 RPG x 1 APG x 0 SPG x 0 BPG x 47% FG x 39% 3FG x 80% FT
SF: JAKE LARAVIA | 6’7” | 235 LBS | 23 YEARS
19 MPG x 5 PPG x 3 RPG x 2 APG x 1 SPG x 0 BPG x 45% FG x 38% 3FG x 70% FT
PF: RUI HACHIMURA | 6’8” | 230 LBS | 27 YEARS
30 MPG x 11 PPG x 5 RPG x 1 APG x 1 SPG x 0 BPG x 50% FG x 40% 3FG x 79% FT
C: JAXSON HAYES | 7’0” | 220 LBS | 25 YEARS
12 MPG x 4 PPG x 3 RPG x 1 APG x 0 SPG x 1 BPG x 73% FG x 0% 3FG x 50% FT
*STATISTICS FOR RESERVES + 2-WAYS BLANK - THEY WOULD ESSENTIALLY COMBINE TO COVER THE NUMBERS FOR ANY INJURED PLAYERS SPORADICALLY THROUGHOUT THE SZN*
