The Los Angeles Lakers were in need for a roster shakeup this offseason, and they’re following through with a retool, but they’re not quite finished. The listed projected roster could look very, very different next season.
On July 5th, Thomas Bryant signed with the Lakers on a one-year deal. Bryant will have a solid chance at taking the starting center position, helping space the floor for Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Lakers — Current Roster
Projected Starters:
- Russell Westbrook
- Austin Reaves
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
- Thomas Bryant
Projected Rotational/Reserve Players:
- Kendrick Nunn
- Talen Horton-Tucker
- Juan Toscano-Anderson
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Stanley Johnson
- Wenyen Gabriel
- Lonnie Walker IV
- Damian Jones
- Cole Swider*
- Scotty Pippen Jr.*
*Two-way players
It’s rumored that the Kyrie Irving/Russell Westbrook deal is as good as finished, but who actually knows.
LeBron is reportedly pushing for the Lakers to make a move for Kyrie, and if that happens, this roster will look quite different. The Lakers will likely head into next season without the max amount of players a team can have for cap flexibility.
On the bright side for the Lakers, they got younger this offseason, which could make a world of difference next season.
Whether it’s Kyrie or Russ at point guard, these young guys will give it their all alongside three future hall of fame players, trying to make a career for themselves.