Lakers depth questions remain

Los Angeles, California – 10. February: LeBron James # 77 Los Angeles Lakers talk during the third quarter against Utah Jazz at Cripto.com Arena 10. February 2025. in Los Angeles, California. Note User: The user explicitly admits and agrees that the download and use of this photo, consent agrees to the terms and conditions of GETTI Images licenses. (Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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While Los Angeles Lakers went in the 2025-2026 season, the questions remain in the entire list without mentioning depth.

Stars in place – for now

With Luka Dončić, he signed a three-year extension worth $ 165 million, it is in place for the current future, allowing Lakers to allow Roster around him, aiming to players who suit his or her skill.

Of course, LeBron James and Austin are still there and still there and both fill the roles number two and number of three guys pretty well, of the least talent perspective.

James, whose future in Los Angeles remains blurry due to its contractual situation (currently designed to be unaccountable for next summer), becomes 41 in December, making the long run with Dončić all the unlikely.

Then the preparations, they deserve only the hair below $ 14 million, which means that Lejkers will reasonably expect to extend it, due to 140% of the league extension limit. And he is also designed to be unauthorized free means of next summer.

It was said, at least the trio is locked in this season, which means that there is little pressure on the leisure that will take the most out of this year, before the main decisions are made.

Lack of depth

Lakers signed Deandra Aiton this summer, after bought by Portland Trail Blazers, making a significant addition, especially in the center.

If you are squinting, you may also see the arguments of the Lake that have a potentially fourth star, in progress, suitable, effort and health.

After that, however, it seems to be a drop.

Rui Hachimura, the other is moving forward, even if it became an efficient shooter (13.1 points, 61.9 million in Irred Vanderbilt, Maki Kleber, and Gabe Vincent, all of which is the main deficiencies and unknown production.

This means that Dalton Knecht, Jake Laravia, and Marcus Smart have to convey major responsibilities this season.

Knecht is a second-year player who initially traded the deadline for Mark Williams, before the trade was abolished. Is he as motivated to hold around?

Laravia is a solid young browse forward, but he played 136 career games and barely burst 2,500 minutes. Is it ready to provide Lakers 20-plus efficient minutes every night?

And finally smart. The former defense player of the year is a tall stroke bolt when he is healthy, but he was not in the last two years, and playing a lot of 54 games during that time.

All this does not mean that Lakers will not be good, but there are legitimate problems, both for now and later.

Unless it stated different, all statistics through Nba.com, Pbpstats, Cleaning the glass or Basketballs-Reference. All information about wages through Spot. All the odds of kindness Fanduel Sports Book.