Which Lakers Role Players Should Return Next Season?
The trade deadline saw the Los Angeles Lakers make many big roster moves. Roster moves that helped propel the roster into what many believed would be a title-contending team. The disappointing end to the Lakers' season raised many questions about who should be kept on the roster and who should be gone. While many expect an almost brand-new Lakers roster for the start of the 2025-2026 season. Every role player won’t nor should be gone from the roster, after all, the roster did improve with some of them.
One role player that should be kept is Dorian Finney-Smith, if for no other reason, because of his chemistry and relationship with Luka Doncic. Doncic and Smith share chemistry from their playing days with the Mavericks. That familiarity and spacing that Doncic can provide Smith helped him get some of his best looks in his career as a Laker. Smith was a trade target for a few teams before eventually joining the Lakers. Smith's spacing, shooting, and height at six-foot-seven provide the versatility Doncic can capitalize on to make the defender second-guess what he is looking to do offensively.
A couple of other players the Lakers should bring back are Gabe Vincent and Jaxson Hayes. Vincent was out the majority of his first season as a Laker. The knee injury sidelined him almost all last season, but this season, he was durable and played in 72 games for the Lakers. This NBA Free Agency won’t have many shooters like Vincent, who played a key role with Miami. He helped Jimmy Butler and the Heat make a playoff run during his time there. His experience shooting is invaluable to a Lakers team that lacks veteran experience besides their main stars.
I mentioned Jaxson Hayes because of what I saw from him since the Doncic trade. Fans were disappointed when the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade. Hayes stepped up big time and helped cover that nicely. His chemistry with Doncic mirrored his time with the Mavericks and their centers. Hayes' energy and ability to catch lobs effortlessly at times from Doncic made him fit into the offense. He can be plugged in as a starter even if called upon. A player like that is invaluable to a team looking to fill its roster with versatile talent. These role players are the ones the Lakers should bring back.
