Why the Lakers Second Unit Can Make an Impact During the 25-26 Season
The Los Angeles Lakers have a big season ahead, with hopes of securing their 18th championship. There are many expectations for the purple and gold heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. Alongside star players such as Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, the team has players who can step in and make a play, with Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton being the two other projected starters. However, the Lakers boast a bench unit that combines youth and veteran experience, allowing them to play significant minutes when their names are called.
Obviously, it all depends on the decision of head coach J.J. Redick’s rotational minutes and what/who he chooses to play. At the guard spots, Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart, and Bronny James are all similar players who can handle the ball, play defense, and hit a three when they are open. At the forward position, shooters such as Dalton Knecht and Jake LaRavia can step in to be key factors by moving off the ball to get an open shot. There are also big men, such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, and Maxi Kleber, who can back up either the power forward or center positions. However, the center position may be the roughest for the Lakers, given their constant struggles on the interior defensive end, not only with their starting center, Ayton, but also with their backups, Hayes and Kleber, who have had rough times defending other centers on the defensive end. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is a defender who can defend all five positions and rebound the ball well, but is undersized for a center and will most likely be the backup power forward.
The guards on both the starting and second unit are at a perfect position to succeed, as Redick’s offensive scheme focuses on getting the ball up the court fast, with an emphasis on ball movement and guard-to-guard two-man actions to rack up more points. The Lakers have several guards capable of starting, and although the starting lineup has not been confirmed yet, expect to see many changes in the lineup depending on the different schemes employed by other teams. It will be exciting to not only see the Lakers' starting lineup, but also the players off the bench who can make an impact and hear their names called in close game scenarios. With the right mix of star power, depth, and coaching decisions, the Lakers have all the tools to make a serious run at their 18th championship this season.
