While the Lakers may have figured things out with Jarred Vanderbilt, that certainly hasn’t solved all the issues.
The bench remains an area of weakness, particularly offensively, for LA. It’s also been a shortcoming that’s been exasperated by the team’s recent injuries.
The team has a host of role players who can fill various roles, but none can step up when more scoring is needed. That was readily apparent in the second half against the Clippers and the whole game against Phoenix when, with Luka Dončić
out and Austin returning in the latter contest, the team lacked any offensive firepower sans LeBron James.
It seems like change is once again needed, but do the solutions exist on the team’s roster? The problem is deeper than simply playing one player more, but can the right combinations help the Lakers find success?
Let’s dive into this week’s voting.
Starters: Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton
Marcus Smart
Smart has been deputised as a starter in Reaves’ absence with mixed results. He had 17 points on 5-9 3-point shooting in Utah, then had maybe the worst shooting night of any individual Laker this season against the Clippers.
He bounced back in Phoenix but seems to be in a pattern of alternating good and bad shooting nights of late.
Jake LaRavia
Another player who has started a couple of recent games, LaRavia had a stat-stuffing outing against the Clippers. He’s been one of the few players who has looked decent over the last week, but is definitely in an outsized role, a common theme for many Lakers of late.
Jarred Vanderbilt
It remains to be seen if Vando will be in the rotation when the team is fully healthy, but he’s been a fixture with the team struggling with injuries. He’s looked solid enough in those minutes to warrant playing time at full health, whenever that day actually comes.
Dalton Knecht
In talking about how much the Lakers’ bench lacks offensive firepower, a bright light should be shined on Knecht. Last year, he was that offense that won them games off the bench. This season, he’s such a shell of himself that he seemingly has little to offer despite a whole host of chances in recent contests.
Jaxson Hayes
Technically, Hayes does have the ability to bring offense as a reserve, but it’s very reliant on other players to create for him. As a result, there are many nights when he’s a non-factor on the offensive end, which isn’t good for a player who isn’t known for rebounding or rim protection, even if both have improved this year.
Nick Smith Jr.
The closest the Lakers have to someone who can score off the bench is NSJ, who is definitely not shy on that end. Against the Clippers, he took 11 shots in 22 minutes, making only four. He got a surprise start against Phoenix despite Reaves’ return as he was the one to come off the bench, but Smith still struggled shooting the ball.
There’s the makings of something potentially there in NSJ, but he’s a two-way guy for a reason and can’t be someone the Lakers rely upon.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
