Name, position, height, weight, school/country, age
MAX CHRISTIE, G/F, 6-5, 190, Michigan State, 21
Christie, the Lakers’ closest representation of a 3-and-D wing, is in line to have a significant role in the team’s rotation after receiving sporadic minutes his first two seasons in the NBA. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Lakers during the offseason, a sign that the franchise believes there are significant strides he can make in his development after selecting him in the second round of the 2022 draft.
ANTHONY DAVIS, F/C, 6-10, 253, Kentucky, 31
Davis is coming off his best year since the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship. He was an All-NBA (second team) and All-Defense (first team) selection for the first time since the 2019-20 season. His 76 regular-season games played were a career-high. During the summer, Davis was an integral part of Team USA’s gold-medal run at the Paris Olympics. New coach JJ Redick is looking to empower Davis even more on both ends of the court with the confidence that Davis can reach even higher levels.
RUI HACHIMURA, F, 6-8, 230, Gonzaga, 26
After having a fluctuating role last season, partly because of injuries, Hachimura’s role as a Day 1 starter is secure. The challenge for this season is building off a career year in 2023-24 and consistently rounding out his game in areas the Lakers need – rebounding, defensive focus and 3-point shooting around their main ball handlers.
JAXSON HAYES, C, 7-0, 220, Texas, 24
Hayes showed he can be impactful as a reserve big man with his energy on both ends of the court, activity at the rim as a roll man in pick-and-rolls and playmaking. But fouling was an issue at certain points. With fellow backup big man Christian Wood slated to miss the start of the season, the Lakers will need consistent contributions from Hayes with their big man depth lacking.
JALEN HOOD-SCHIFINO, G, 6-5, 215, Indiana, 21
The Lakers’ 2023 first-round pick, Hood-Schifino didn’t play much as a rookie. He was on the court for 109 minutes in 21 games before having back surgery in late March. Hood-Schifino’s path to playing time is unclear on a team with several veteran players ahead of him on the depth chart.
BRONNY JAMES, G, 6-2, 210, USC, 20
The 55th pick in June’s draft, James has already been scrutinized more than most second-round picks. It comes with the territory of being the son of the league’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, with the two being the first father and son to be in the NBA simultaneously, let alone as teammates. But the expectation is that the younger James will spend a significant part of his rookie year in the G League and isn’t expected to be much of an on-court factor for the parent club this year.
LeBRON JAMES, F, 6-9, 250, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, 39
James is coming off one of his best seasons as a Laker, playing more games and scoring more efficiently than he has in the last seven years. And even with his 40th birthday a little more than two months away, and Davis becoming more of a focal point, James remains at the center of the Lakers’ title-contending hopes. James’ 22nd NBA season will likely be unprecedented. The question is whether the Lakers will take advantage of his unparalleled longevity.
DALTON KNECHT, G/F, 6-5, 215, Tennessee, 23
The Lakers’ first-round pick in June, Knecht projects to be part of the team’s Day One rotation. His shooting and scoring skillset make him an NBA-ready rookie. His defensive capabilities and progression will likely determine how many minutes he’ll play.
*CHRISTIAN KOLOKO, C, 7-0, 230, Arizona, 24
The Lakers signed the defensive-focused Koloko to a two-way contract hoping he could provide big-man depth in light of Wood’s injury. But the team is still waiting for Koloko, a Sierra Canyon High alum and the No. 33 pick in the 2022 draft who started his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors, to be cleared by the league’s Fitness-to-Play Panel because of blood clot issues that sidelined him last season and throughout the preseason this month.
MAXWELL LEWIS, G/F, 6-7, 195, Pepperdine, 22
The Lakers’ 2023 second-round pick, Lewis didn’t get much playing time last season and will have an uphill battle trying to climb the depth chart.
*QUINCY OLIVARI, G, 6-3, 200, Xavier, 23
Olivari was a standout performer during the preseason. And he was rewarded with a two-way contract after originally joining the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 deal. It’s unclear what his role will be for the Lakers this season.
AUSTIN REAVES, G, 6-5, 197, Oklahoma, 26
A feel-good story early in his career, the expectations for Reaves will increase in 2024-25 with Redick saying the fourth-year guard will have more ball-handling responsibilities. Reaves has shown improvements every season, but the Lakers need even more from him for the team to reach its ceiling.
CAM REDDISH, G/F, 6-7, 217, Duke, 25
Reddish’s defensive talent helped the Lakers early last season, but injuries and offensive inconsistencies derailed his 2023-24. He projects to be on the cusp of the rotation on most nights.
D’ANGELO RUSSELL, G, 6-3, 193, Ohio State, 28
Since returning to the franchise in February 2023, Russell’s time with the Lakers has been defined by strong regular-season play but disappointing performances in the playoffs and being involved in trade rumors. Will this year be any different for Russell, who is on an expiring contract?
*ARMEL TRAORE, F, 6-9, 210, France, 21
Traore’s athleticism, size, motor and basketball IQ are valuable traits, but it’s unknown how much playing time he’ll get, especially with a jump shot that needs improvement.
JARRED VANDERBILT, F, 6-8, 214, Kentucky, 25
One of the Lakers’ best defenders, Vanderbilt had his 2023-24 season derailed by injuries. And he’ll start this season sidelined after having surgery on both his feet during the offseason. How much can he contribute once he returns to the court?
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GABE VINCENT, G, 6-2, 200, UC Santa Barbara, 28
Vincent only played 11 regular-season games last season because of left knee issues. And he looked rusty when he was able to get on the court. There is optimism that a healthy Vincent will be a steady two-way contributor for the Lakers as he was for the Miami Heat team that made the 2023 NBA Finals.
CHRISTIAN WOOD, F/C, 6-8, 214, UNLV, 29
Wood didn’t provide the outside shooting or scoring last season that was expected before he missed the final two months after having knee surgery. And he’ll start this season sidelined after having left knee surgery last month. Will he bounce back once he returns?
* = two-way contract player