Three Lakers role players who are key to a potential title run

Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are poised for another dominant season, but their championship aspirations hinge on the performances of their supporting cast. 

Here are three role players who must step up for the Lakers to contend:

Gabe Vincent

Bucket-getting playmakers consistently make the highlight reel, but recent NBA history showcases gritty, defensive-minded point guards who help lead teams to championships. Jrue Holiday (Celtics 2024, Bucks 2021), Kyle Lowry (Raptors 2019), Mario Chalmers (Heat 2012,2013), Jason Kidd (Mavericks 2011) and Derek Fisher (Lakers 2009, 2010) fit this mold. 

Vincent’s performance during the Heat’s 2023 Finals run, when he stifled Holiday, Jalen Brunson and Marcus Smart and averaged 37.8 percent from deep on 6.1 attempts per game, demonstrated his ability to impact both ends of the floor. 

In July 2023, the Lakers signed Vincent to a three-year, $33 million contract, hoping he’d be their starting point guard. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, a left knee injury limited him to just 11 games.

Last season, D'Angelo Russell was miscast as a lead guard instead of a sparkplug scorer off the bench, his best role. New Lakers head coach JJ Redick should insert Vincent into the starting five. His defense will ease the burden on James and Davis and his shooting will create needed spacing on offense.

Jarred Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's ability to guard multiple positions and hound opposing perimeter-scoring threats is crucial for the Lakers. In 2022-23, the Lakers boasted an imposing 112.3 Defensive Rating with Vanderbilt on the court, a mark that would have ranked sixth in the league. Without him, their DRTG slipped to 115.6 (21^st in the NBA), highlighting his importance.

New Orleans' Herbert Jones, Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso and Boston's Derrick White soak up much of the attention as the league’s premier perimeter defenders, but Vanderbilt’s ability to use his 6-foot-8, 214-pound frame to harass even the most elite scorers in the NBA can’t be overstated. 

Here’s a breakdown of a few of Vanderbilt’s key matchups during the 2022-23 season:

• Held Minnesota's Anthony Edwards to 38.9 percent shooting across 90 possessions.
• Held Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to 28.6 percent shooting across 52 possessions.
• Held Dallas' Luka Doncic to 33.3 percent shooting across 50 possessions.

This season, Vanderbilt’s energy and ability to contain the league's top scorers will be vital for the Lakers. He’s still rehabbing a foot injury from last season, but his return will be key to unlocking the defensive potential the Lakers showcased with him in the lineup.

Max Christie

Christie is one of the Lakers’ least heralded players, but because of the departure of Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish’s struggles from deep last season (33.6 percent), the Lakers need him to step up as a reliable wing. 

At 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Christie has the size and defensive instincts to guard multiple positions. His 37.8 career three-point percentage and solid defensive stats from last season (3.3 contested shots per game, 15.3 block percentage,15.7 steal percentage) show promise.

Christie's continued development into a consistent three-and-D player will provide the Lakers with valuable floor spacing and defensive flexibility. If Vanderbilt’s foot injury lingers into training camp, Reddick could turn to Christie to suit up alongside James and Davis in the starting lineup.