PREDICTING NEXT SEASON’S LAKERS ROSTER

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

While there was definitely a universe in existence which produced a Minnesota Timberwolves series victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, it is safe to say that most people on the planet foresaw LA moving on to the Western Conference semifinals. With a mountain of momentum on their side heading into the playoffs, there was a simple blueprint for the purple and gold to follow in order to achieve this collective assumption from the general public.

But contrary to common belief, the Wolves wreaked absolute havoc from series start to (quick) finish. Anthony Edwards was surgical. Julius Randle stepped up in a big way. Jaden McDaniels might have been the series’ best overall player from a ‘both ends of the floor’ perspective. Minnesota’s other guys were far superior to Los Angeles’s other guys. From top to bottom, the underdogs were by far the better team throughout the series.

Now the Lakers are left with nothing but thoughts of what could have been as they take some time to evaluate the men in the mirror. And while those same men staring back at them may currently sport the prettiest purple and gold uniforms you ever did see, chances are that a chunk of them will not wear the same jersey come next season.

This is the Los Angeles freakin’ Lakers for pistol Pete’s sake. There is one single objective for each and every season: BRING HOME A CHIP. Any season outcome which does not translate to a ring ceremony at the commencement of the following campaign is a failure. At the end of the day, it truly is as simple as that. Factor in the added pressure that comes with providing LeBron James the best chance at another championship as he closes out his playing days, and it goes without saying that this front office has a lot more responsibility this summer than they ever have in the past.

With the Don already being spotted out and about aside Rob Pelinka x JJ Redick, it is abundantly clear that the big wigs are wasting no time in their quest for reclamation in 2025-2026. Obviously, Luka Doncic ain’t going nowhere new no time soon/ever. But while LeBron will almost assuredly be back for at least a farewell tour, Doncic is actually the only active Laker who can be penciled into next year’s depth chart with 100% certainty. There are undoubtedly some guys with a clear case for retainment, and there is an undeniably endless array of routes in which this organzation’s executives can elect to run in it’s pursuit of a renaissance season ahead.

With no psychic style sense for perfectly forecasting the future, it is impossible to project exactly how the dominoes will tumble for the Lakers in the months to come. But with knowledge of what buried this band so early in the postseason, we can at least sketch an outline of how things could/should transpire with regards to what next year’s roster will resemble.

---

STARTERS

PG = Luka Doncic | 6’7” | 230 LBS | AGE: 26 | 2024-2025 STATS: 50 GAMES x 50 STARTS x 35.4 MPG x 28.2 PPG x 8.2 RPG x 7.7 APG:3.6 TOPG x 1.8 SPG x 0.4 BPG x 45.0% FG x 36.8% 3FG x 78.2% FT

The Don is here to stay for now and forever.

SG = Austin Reaves | 6’5” | 197 LBS | AGE: 26 | 2024-2025 STATS: 73 GAMES x 73 STARTS x 34.9 MPG x 20.2 PPG x 4.5 RPG x 5.8 APG:2.4 TOPG x 1.1 SPG x 0.3 BPG x 46.0% FG x 37.7% 3FG x 87.7% FT

Reaves was less than stellar in the Timberwolves series, but his present trajectory should land him in Los Angeles as both a member of the Lakeshow + 2025-2026 All-Star team. This organization + fanbase alike have witnessed AR-15’s ascension unfold every step of the way, and their attachment to his development should prove too strong to part with.

SF = Cameron Johnson | 6’8” | 210 LBS | AGE: 29 | 2024-2025 STATS: 57 GAMES x 57 STARTS x 31.6 MPG x 18.8 PPG x 4.3 RPG x 3.4 APG:1.7 TOPG x 0.9 SPG x 0.4 BPG x 47.5% FG x 39.0% 3FG x 89.3% FT

PROPOSED TRADE

NETS GET: Rui Hachimura ($18.3 MILL) x Jordan Goodwin ($2.3 MILL) x 2031 1st-Round Pick

LAKERS GET: Cameron Johnson ($20.5 MILL)

Playoff Rui was certainly back in full effect (14.8 PPG + 3.0 made triples/game on 48.4% from distance versus the Wolves), but his excellent exhibitions were not enough to get this team over the hump. Dealing Hachimura would be a difficult pill to digest, but obtaining a wing of Cameron Johnson’s nature would alleviate the pain. Johnson is a much more sound defender, and has cemented his place among the top outside shooters in the league across his first 6 seasons. He would be a seamless running mate aside the team’s 3-headed monster, and his improved playmaking chops in recent memory (3.4 APG in 2024-2025) flashed signs of some untapped potential.

PF = LeBron James | 6’9” | 250 LBS | AGE: 40 | 2024-2025 STATS: 70 GAMES x 70 STARTS x 34.9 MPG x 24.4 PPG x 7.8 RPG x 8.2 APG:3.7 TOPG x 1.0 SPG x 0.7 BPG x 51.3% FG x 37.6% 3FG x 78.2% FT

Brace yourself for what will likely be Bron’s final NBA season, one spent with the Lakers once again being that Bronny will still be parked on the purple and gold pine

C = Clint Capela | 6’10” | 256 LBS | AGE: 30 | 2024-2025 STATS: 55 GAMES x 41 STARTS x 21.4 MPG x 8.9 PPG x 8.5 RPG x 1.1 APG:0.9 TOPG x 0.6 SPG x 1.0 BPG x 55.9% FG x 0.0% 3FG x 53.6% FT

Now that Onyeka Okongwu has officially taken over starting center duties in Atlanta, Clint Capela is likely in search of a new place to call home as he enters unrestricted free agency this summer. There is no shot of the Swiss native securing a bag as big as his previously inked deal (2 years x $45.9 MILL) this summer, but he should still fetch somewhere around the MLE range in terms of annual salary for his next deal. LA’s desperate need for a bonafide starting big body was exposed in great detail by Minnesota’s frontcourt, and Capela’s ability to singlehandedly control the glass (career 14.4 rebounds/36 minutes) + protect the paint (career 1.4 BPG) make him a logical solution.

BENCH

PG = Gabe Vincent | 6’2” | 200 LBS | AGE: 28 | 2024-2025 STATS: 72 GAMES x 11 STARTS x 21.2 MPG x 6.4 PPG x 1.3 RPG x 1.4 APG:0.6 TOPG x 0.7 SPG x 0.2 BPG x 40.0% FG x 35.3% 3FG x 71.4% FT

There is nothing that Gabe Vincent does on the basketball court at an above-average level, yet there is also nothing that Gabe Vincent does on the basketball court at a subpar level. He is a point guard by default, but rarely produces any polarizing playmaking highlights. On the flip side, he never forces anything and virtually never turns the ball over. Plus, he has a knack for knocking down big shots and rolling up his sleeves on the less glamorous end. All things considered, Vincent is an excellent backcourt bench option behind/next to Doncic and/or Reaves.

SG = Dalton Knecht | 6’6” | 215 LBS | AGE: 24 | 2024-2025 STATS: 78 GAMES x 16 STARTS x 19.2 MPG x 9.1 PPG x 2.8 RPG x 0.8 APG:0.5 TOPG x 0.3 SPG x 0.1 BPG x 46.1% FG x 37.6% 3FG x 76.2% FT

The Lakers brass sent Knecht packing once before, but the universe decided the rookie was already where he was meant to be. He is one of the front office’s most attractive trade assets, but fool them twice shame on them. Within this particular rotation, Knecht could/would thrive and would be in store for a bit more on-ball action as the bench unit’s go-to-guy.

SF = Dorian Finney-Smith | 6’7” | 220 LBS | AGE: 32 | 2024-2025 STATS: 63 GAMES x 40 STARTS x 28.9 MPG x 8.7 PPG x 3.9 RPG x 1.4 APG:0.9 TOPG x 0.9 SPG x 0.4 BPG x 44.8% FG x 41.1% 3FG x 66.7% FT

3 words: Vincent-Van-Doe.

PF = Jarred Vanderbilt | 6’8” | 214 LBS | AGE: 26 | 2024-2025 STATS: 36 GAMES x 2 STARTS x 16.1 MPG x 4.1 PPG x 5.1 RPG x 1.1 APG:0.8 TOPG x 1.0 SPG x 0.3 BPG x 48.8% FG x 28.1% 3FG x 55.6% FT

See previous note..

C = Chris Boucher | 6’9” | 200 LBS | AGE: 32 | 2024-2025 STATS: 50 GAMES x 0 STARTS x 17.2 MPG x 10.0 PPG x 4.5 RPG x 0.7 APG:0.6 TOPG x 0.5 SPG x 0.5 BPG x 49.2% FG x 36.3% 3FG x 78.2% FT

After 7 seasons of superb shot-swatting + respectable shooting range (career 33.9% from deep) in Toronto, Chris Boucher’s contract has officially come off the Raptors’ books. He is by no means a household name, but should derive his fair share of suitors on the open market. With the more traditional Capela in the starting lineup, Rob Pelinka could seek a different dynamic in filling the team’s need for a backup big. Boucher’s unconventional offensive repertoire x defensive disruptiveness stand out as a feasible fit AND should be available right around the veteran minimum level.

RESERVES

PG = Bronny James | 6’2” | 210 LBS | AGE: 20 | 2024-2025 STATS: 27 GAMES x 1 START x 6.7 MPG x 2.3 PPG x 0.7 RPG x 0.8 APG:0.5 TOPG x 0.3 SPG x 0.1 BPG x 31.3% FG x 28.1% 3FG x 78.6% FT

As long as Bronny James is a Laker, fans of the franchise have nothing to worry about when it comes to the possibility of LeBron James playing for another team prior to his retirement. With that being stated, Bronny will be back (and better).

SG = Josh Green | 6’5” | 200 LBS | AGE: 24 | 2024-2025 STATS: 68 GAMES x 67 STARTS x 27.8 MPG x 7.4 PPG x 2.5 RPG x 1.6 APG:1.0 TOPG x 1.1 SPG x 0.2 BPG x 42.8% FG x 39.1% 3FG x 68.1% FT

PROPOSED TRADE

HORNETS GET: Maxi Kleber ($11 MILL) x Shake Milton ($3 MILL) x 2025 2nd-Round Pick

LAKERS GET: Josh Green ($13.7 MILL)

There was a lot of negative slander surrounding Josh Green’s inaugural season in Charlotte, and his future with the franchise seems murky. The Lakers should take action quickly, as this could easily turn out to be a classic case of “one man’s trash x another man’s treasure”. Green did not make the type of leap some hoped for, but still sunk 39.1% of his triples while continuing to supply his usual dosage of stout defense. With experience supplying solid 3&D minutes alongside Doncic in Dallas, his contract (expires at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 SZN) could come back around as a bargain in hindsight.

SF = Gary Harris | 6’4” | 210 LBS | AGE: 30 | 2024-2025 STATS: 48 GAMES x 3 STARTS x 14.8 MPG x 3.0 PPG x 1.3 RPG x 0.6 APG:0.4 TOPG x 0.5 SPG x 0.3 BPG x 38.3% FG x 35.6% 3FG x 58.3% FT

Gary Harris has seemingly lost a step or two since his earlier days in Denver, but make no mistake about his incredible 3&D track record. On a team with a trio of elite playmakers like Luka Doncic x LeBron James x Austin Reaves, you need all the 3&D guys you can get your hands on. Harris has been one of the game’s most steady hands in this category across the past decade.

PF = Torrey Craig | 6’6” | 221 LBS | AGE: 34 | 2024-2025 STATS: 26 GAMES x 4 STARTS x 12.1 MPG x 4.2 PPG x 2.8 RPG x 0.7 APG:0.3 TOPG x 0.3 SPG x 0.5 BPG x 42.2% FG x 36.4% 3FG x 66.7% FT

Yet another 3&D vet, Torrey Craig possesses the same uncanny ability to hold his own at the 5 in small ball units that DFS + Vando have. Adding Craig to that collection of Swiss army knifes would do wonders for this team’s sense of depth.

C = Jericho Sims | 6’10” | 250 LBS | AGE: 26 | 2024-2025 STATS: 53 GAMES x 5 STARTS x 11.9 MPG x 1.8 PPG x 3.7 RPG x 0.6 APG:0.6 TOPG x 0.2 SPG x 0.4 BPG x 63.4% FG x 0.0% 3FG x 61.5% FT

Jericho Sims is essentially a bulkier, better-rebounding version of Jaxson Hayes. Seeing how Hayes flourished with the Lakers post-trade deadline, you can imagine Sims carving out a nice little role as this team’s bench bruiser.

---