Three major questions facing the Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka saved his team's season at last year's trade deadline by acquiring D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura and Malik Beasley. All contributed during a deep playoff run that culminated with Los Angeles losing to eventual champion Denver in four games in the Western Conference finals. 

Pelinka also shuffled the roster this offseason, most notably adding Gabe Vincent from the Miami Heat and Jaxson Hayes from the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Here are three major questions for the Lakers heading into the 2023-24 season:

Will Rui Hachimura's playoff shooting efficiency carry over? 

After the Lakers acquired him from Washington, Hachimura rejuvenated his once-stagnant career. In the playoffs last season, he averaged 12.2 points on 55.7 percent shooting from the field and 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. His postseason play was a revelation for the Lakers.

Hachimura, who shot 31.9 percent from three in the 2022-23 regular season, increased his efficiency from deep by almost 17 points in the playoffs. That may be unprecedented, but is it sustainable? 

Floor spacing on the Lakers is essential, especially when Anthony Davis and LeBron James are playing together. If Hachimura's efficiency carries over, he will be a surefire offensive weapon and someone who can open up the floor for the team's two stars. 

Will Anthony Davis become the best player on the team? 

"He's the face [of the franchise]," James told ESPN about Davis during the team's media day recently. "You look at all these [retired] numbers that surround this facility, all the greats that have come here and AD is one of them."

Is he? One could easily argue James is the face of the Lakers and still the best player on the roster. 

"LeBron is still arguably the face of the league," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said.

Last season, James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists with a true shooting percentage of 58.3 percent. At 38 (turning 39 on Dec. 30), he continues to play outstanding basketball. For the Lakers to win a title, though, Davis probably must be the best player on the team. 

Per StatMuse, James has played in 1,421 games and 54,094 minutes. At some point, the weight of being the best player on the team must be taken off his shoulders. Davis must take those reins, which was the expectation when Los Angeles signed him to a three-year, $186 million extension. It's the richest contract extension in NBA history on a per-year basis ($62 million a season).

To be the guy, however, Davis must become a more consistent offensive player outside the paint. 

"When he's [Davis] making his jump shot, he is a top-tier superstar. End of story," The Volume's Jason Timpf said.

Do the Lakers have enough shooting?

Last season, the Lakers ranked 25th in three-point shooting percentage, and that's something that must improve for Los Angeles to play into June. The Lakers currently don't have a player who shot 40 percent or better from three last season. 

In Los Angeles' first two preseason games, new acquisitions Taurean Prince, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish and Vincent were a combined 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) from deep. 

Perhaps Vanderbilt, who's not considered much of an offensive weapon, is the answer. He shot 2-for-3 from deep in the Lakers' 125-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Last season, he shot 32.2 percent from deep on just 90 attempts (24.1 percent in the playoffs).

If Vanderbilt can improve on his marksmanship, he could provide a shooting boost.