Projecting the Lakers 2024-25 Depth Chart After Disappointing Offseason
By Cem Yolbulan
Rotation
Jarred Vanderbilt
Dalton Knecht
Jaxson Hayes
To start the season, Knecht will likely be a bench option. However, his shooting and off-ball gravity will be useful in lineups with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Therefore, he should be one of the first players off the bench. How many minutes he will get on a nightly basis will depend on how much he can survive on the defensive end.
Vanderbilt missed most of last season with an injury but should be ready to go at the start of next season. A limited offensive player, the 6'8 forward is the most defensively versatile role player on the team. He can guard multiple positions, play small-ball center when needed, and provide much-needed defensive intensity and athleticism. When healthy, he should play 20 minutes per game at the minimum.
The last rotation spot belongs to a backup center. Unfortunately, the Lakers have failed to sign someone competent for that role. Therefore, it's still Jaxson Hayes' spot. Hayes is not a good enough backup center for a team with postseason aspirations. To be able to rest Anthony Davis and keep him fresh for the playoffs, the Lakers desperately need to upgrade their big-man rotation.
Bench
Christian Wood
Maxwell Lewis
Christian Wood is the third center for this team and will likely not be on the roster when the season starts. As talented as he is on the offensive end, Wood is one of the worst defensive big men in the league. Considering that the primary role of a center is to be a defensive anchor, Wood just doesn't have much of a role on a good team. If the Lakers can move on from other big men instead, Wood can stay on as a deep bench option but it's hard to see him have a rotation role.
Lewis was a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He spent his rookie season in the G League and appeared in garbage time in Los Angeles. He hasn't shown much so far to earn JJ Redick's trust, so he will likely be splitting his time between South Bay and the big club once again.
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