LOS ANGELES – Fans of the Los Angeles Lakers feel real excitement about Marcus Smart’s arrival. Lakers fans, always mindful of Boston’s success, have kept Smart on their radar for years. Now, they finally have him in the purple and gold. He is third summer addition to the Hollywood team. The second to join after agreeing a buyout agreement with his previous team. Armed with a Non-taxpayer mid-level exception and breathing room under the aprons, the Lakers have turned Dorian Finney-Smith into three rotation players. Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia.
Lakers’ Next Decision Is Painfully Obvious — But Are They Done?
Who Fits in the Starting Five?
The first question is painfully obvious — who starts? On close inspection, only five Lakers fit what JJ Redick wants for his starting five.
So who starts? LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Ayton.
The Lakers finished third in the West despite starting Jaxson Hayes for 35 games last season. They upgraded the center spot by adding Ayton. He averages 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds for his career.
Ayton isn’t an elite rim protector but he’s solid. He finished in the 79th percentile in rim defense last year. He also cleans up defensive stops at an elite rate — 93rd percentile.
Luka in “Championship Shape”
Ayton’s best year came playing next to Chris Paul in 2021-22. Now, Luka will be his best table-setter since then. Luka has embraced Redick’s demand to be in “championship shape.” Social media shows him slimmer. He will play EuroBasket and always performs better after playing for Slovenia.
Luka averaged 33.9 points just 13 months ago and led his team to the NBA Finals. He will now have a full camp and, if healthy, could return with a medal for Hollywood.
Players on a Restricted Timeline Will Elevate
For better or worse, the Lakers see LeBron as an “expiring contract.” Through Rich Paul, LeBron responded to that assessment by reaffirming his intention to compete for championships. With this roster, LeBron has his best shot at doing that since the 2020 banner.
Reaves enters a contract year and wants to build on last season’s 20.2 ppg. Hachimura, standing 6’8” with a 7’2” wingspan, has shot 40.2% from three for the Lakers over 160 games. He is the prototypical 3-and-D wing.
Hachimura’s lineups outscored opponents well enough that, over 59 games, they would win 13 more games than lineups without him. Safe to say, he’s an important part of the Lakers starting five. He’s on an expiring deal, so he’s motivated to earn his next payday.
Bench Needs Smart’s Spark
The Lakers hope Smart and LaRavia spark a bench that ranked second-worst in points last season. The Lakers will waive Shake Milton to make room for Smart. So, don’t expect more signings unless they make a trade.
Are the Lakers Really Done?
For now, the Lakers seem done. They will test this roster and watch the market for an opportunity. They still hold plenty of expiring deals and tradeable contracts if they need to pivot later.
Not a lot of people outside Los Angeles are willing to say it but the Lakers are contenders in the West.
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