Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking each role player by importance

By Jason Reed | Sep 1, 2019

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 06: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. JaVale McGee

Again, it might be a bit of a surprise to see JaVale McGee up this high but as it currently stands, the team’s primary center is the second-most important role player. He is important for all of the same reasons as Howard, except he is going to play a bigger role at the start of the year as the starting center.

Two years ago you would have completely laughed at this assertion as McGee found himself being nothing more than a minutes eater on the Golden State Warriors and a frequent inclusion in Shaqtin a Fool.

However, McGee had the best season of his career last year with the Lakers, in large part due to the fact that LeBron James often makes big men produce much more than they would otherwise.

McGee might not see the scoring numbers that he saw a year ago but he is going to be a huge defensive piece as a rim protector as well as the team’s primary rebounder, especially when LeBron and Davis stretch the floor and shoot threes.

The combination of McGee and Davis in the frontcourt can be scary for other teams as the two combined to average 4.4 blocks per game last season. The Lakers were seventh in blocks per game last season and just the trio of McGee, Davis and LeBron had more blocks than 12 NBA teams last season.

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