Predicting Every Lakers Player's Points Per Game Next Season

As the Los Angeles Lakers assemble their star-studded lineup for the 2025-26 season, the question isn’t whether they’ve collected enough firepower, but whether those pieces can deliver when it counts. With All-NBA talents LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge, the franchise has doubled down on its title aspirations. 

Luka just inked a three-year, $165 million extension and voiced an unwavering championship mindset. Meanwhile, LeBron opted in for what could be his final season in purple and gold, adding layers of both gravity and uncertainty to L.A.’s title chase.

Reinforcements arrived swiftly in the frontcourt: Deandre Ayton, fresh off a Blazers buyout, signed a two-year deal to anchor the paint at a bargain rate, just $8.1 million in year one within a broader $34 million commitment. His presence bolsters interior scoring and defense, addressing one of L.A.’s most glaring needs. 

On the perimeter and in the clutch, the influence of sharpshooter Rui Hachimura and clutch-ready Austin Reaves promises to supplement the superstar duo with depth and spacing. Can this revamped roster truly mesh into a championship-caliber unit? And who will rise to the occasion as key scorers beyond the expected 25-30 PPG from LeBron and Luka?

As the season approaches, we break down how each Laker might contribute in terms of PPG to get an idea of how stacked this team really is, at least on paper.

Luka Doncic - 29.5 PPG

After being acquired mid-season from Dallas in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, Luka had a dominant run with the team, and his new slimmed-down physique is sparking excitement about what's to come. With full integration and clearly designated offensive primacy alongside LeBron, he’s projected at a robust 29.5 PPG, anchoring L.A.’s offensive engine. 

Especially with James turning 41 years old in a couple of months, Doncic will have to increase his scoring load, boosting from 28.2 PPG to almost 30 PPG next season. The Slovenian will need to be in the MVP race and scoring title race to give the Lakers a chance to capture a top-4 seed in the West.

LeBron James - 24.0 PPG

LeBron averaged 24.4 PPG last season over 70 games, also contributing 7.8 RPG and 8.2 APG. As he approaches 41, the Lakers still gladly brought him back under his $52.6M player option. While his playmaking and leadership remain elite, a slight dip to 24.0 PPG anticipates more ball-sharing with Luka, and careful minutes management to preserve his legs deep into the season.

We anticipate James' scoring to dip slightly as he finally takes somewhat of a secondary role to allow Doncic to shine. James will also play fewer minutes, hopefully, and preserve his body for the postseason. We don't expect James to play over 65 games and dominate the scoring charts as he has done over the majority of his career for obvious reasons.

Austin Reaves - 17.5 PPG

Austin Reaves exploded in 2024-25 with several big scoring nights, like 45 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists, and surpassed Kobe for most threes in a Lakers season. As a reliable third option with a green light in crunch time, he’s projected to average about 17.5 PPG, following his breakout with a more consistent scoring rhythm.

Reaves won't reach the 20 PPG mark in our opinion since he will now have to share touches with Deandre Ayton, a big man who thrives getting the ball on the block and in the pick-and-roll. Reaves will likely still put up fringe All-Star numbers and could become the second option should LeBron James deal with attrition throughout the season. 

Deandre Ayton - 14.2 PPG

Last season, Deandre Ayton came in with a strong career 16.4 PPG mark, but averaged 14.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG with the Blazers in 2024-25. A two-year deal signals the Lakers expect him to anchor the paint on both sides. With slightly reduced touches in L.A.’s star-driven offense, a projection of 14.2 PPG seems believable, with value extending beyond just scoring.

The Lakers will hope Ayton can contribute more than 14.2 PPG, but the big man will have to settle for being the fourth option on a championship team, and his touches won't come as often as he would like. It remains to be seen how Ayton will mesh with the stars ahead of him, but we don't think there will be a big drop-off in his offensive numbers. 

Rui Hachimura - 12.9 PPG

Though limited in sample size (5 games), Hachimura averaged 14.8 PPG with strong efficiency (49.1% FG, 48.4% 3-PT FG) in the playoffs last season and 13.1 PPG in the regular season. Expecting a return to health and rotation stability, he should settle at around 12.9 PPG throughout the season, providing valuable spacing, tough midrange scoring, and physicality.

Rui will probably feel the drop-off in touches more than anyone else on the team, and he will be relegated to the fifth option at times, but could go as high as third depending on the opponent. JJ Redick trusts Rui down the stretch, and that could benefit the forward as he looks to continue expanding his offensive game.

Dalton Knecht - 8.4 PPG

Dalton Knecht had some electrifying moments in his rookie campaign (e.g., 37 points with nine threes), yet he was ultimately traded mid-season before the deal fell through. He hasn't been moved yet, so if he remains, expect a reserve role putting up around 6 PPG as a three-point specialist off the bench.

The Lakers don't value Knecht as untouchable, although he is very capable of getting hot from the perimeter. The second-year player probably won't be playing heavy minutes, but we expect him to be hungry to prove himself. 

Marcus Smart - 8.0 PPG

Marcus Smart is another new signing for the Lakers, and his veteran defensive acumen and energy off the bench could yield around 8 PPG in limited minutes, as he revitalizes phased backcourt depth, supporting L.A.'s perimeter defense and gritty hustle.

Smart might not be the same player who helped the Boston Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2021-22, but he doesn't have to be in contention for Defensive Player of the Year to make a difference. As long as Smart hustles, hits open shots, and uses his size when he is around the rim, he will be a key member for the Lakers. 

Jake LaRavia - 6.7 PPG

Jake LaRavia played limited minutes in 2024-25 and didn't show too much of his ability (6.9 PPG), so projecting around 6 PPG next season as a developmental wing option seems right. LaRavia is a quiet pickup for the Lakers because he is 6'8", can hold down the wing spots, and shot 42.3% from deep last season. 

Will he make the Lakers completely unbeatable? No. But he can contribute in spurts, and the team needs as many solid role players as they can get because that is what Luka and LeBron will need come playoff time.

Bronny James - 6.4 PPG

Bronny made history with his father as the first NBA father-son combo to play together, but saw very limited time. Expect his scoring to remain sparse, around 6.4 PPG, as he develops and adjusts to NBA speed.

We expect Bronny to show improvements from last season, but we don't think he is ready to be anywhere close to a 7th or 8th man just yet. We could be wrong, but JJ Redick has been cautious to thrust Bronny into major roles so far. 

Gabe Vincent - 6.1 PPG

Gabe Vincent logged 6.4 PPG over 72 games with L.A. last season. As a floor-spacing backup guard, expect him to hover around 6.1 PPG, providing shooting and veteran depth. He clearly isn't the same player who helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals in 2023, but the Lakers aren't expecting that guy anyway. 

As long as Vincent shoots over 35% from three and handles the ball well coming off the bench, JJ Redick and the coaching staff should be happy. Still, anything other than what we predicted Vincent will contribute will only help the Lakers better.

Jarred Vanderbilt - 5.5 PPG

Jarred Vanderbilt averaged just 4.1 PPG in limited minutes last season, although he only appeared in 36 games. Projection rises to 5.5 PPG if given more defensive-focused minutes as a rebounder and energy guy in small-ball rotations. 

We hope Vando can stay healthy because his size and athleticism are truly gifts when he stands 6'8". If he can stay on the court and make open shots, the Lakers have another trustworthy weapon off the bench.

Jaxson Hayes - 4.5 PPG

Jaxon Hayes re-signed for one year this offseason, and it wasn't the worst pickup by the Lakers because the team needs a backup center for Deandre Ayton. He averaged 6.8 PPG last season, but with Ayton now in the mix, he shifts to a backup center role, likely around 4.5 PPG, offering rim-running and interior defense off the bench. 

Lakers fans have a love-hate relationship with Hayes because his elite athleticism is impressive, but his inconsistencies on defense and on a physical level make him somewhat of a liability at times. Still, Hayes will have a role to play in 2025-26.

Adou Thiero - 3.2 PPG 

Adou Thiero could carve out a small role, end-of-bench minutes, scoring a couple of points per game as a developmental project. The 22-year-old has some potential, and it will be interesting to see how fast he picks up the NBA after getting taken No. 36 overall in the 2025 Draft.

Maxi Kleber - 3.0 PPG

Acquired as part of the Luka trade, Maxi Kleber brings shooting and experience. Without prior Lakers stats, a 3.0 PPG projection fits his anticipated specialist, floor-spacing bench profile. The Lakers aren't expecting much from their third-string center as he will likely play out the final year of his contract.