With basketball season around the corner, the lights don’t get any brighter than they do at Crypto.com Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers made moves this offseason, but this time the spotlight won’t just be on guard Luka Dončić and forward LeBron James. These four players will have to elevate their game this year if the Lakers plan to compete for a playoff spot.
1. Guard Austin Reaves
Reaves showed instances of being a reliable secondary scorer averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists last year in the regular season, but he started to struggle with his shooting when it mattered most.
In the 2025 playoffs, Reaves only shot 31.9% from 3-point range. In order for the Lakers to thrive this season, Reaves is going to have to have to be able to stretch the floor effectively, generate shots off the dribble and consistently knock down open looks. He should aim to raise his 3-point percentage to around 40% to establish himself as a true perimeter threat. The Lakers need him to hit from deep with consistency and attack the rim when defenses collapse on James and Dončić.
2. Center Deandre Ayton
Ayton is a new offseason addition to fill the Lakers need of a big man. Last year, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Portland Trail Blazers, shooting 56.6% from the field. His defensive rating of 114.2 ranked in the bottom half of the league for centers playing for 25 minutes or more and opponents shot 52% from the field against him.
The Lakers acquired Ayton to control the paint. His presence will be critical in slowing down other big men in the Western Conference. If he can protect the rim and average at least a double-double, he can significantly transform the interior defense.
3. Forward Rui Hacimura
Hachimura has proven that he can score and be efficient on the court after averaging 13.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assists per game last season. His defense began to decline after opponents shot 50.9% against him as the primary defender.
The Lakers will need him to be more than just a shooter and will need that two-way presence for defensive possessions and switches onto guards in pick and roll situations. If he can improve his shooting, perimeter defense and attack the glass, he can become a versatile forward that can help the Lakers improve on the defensive side of the ball.
4. Guard Marcus Smart
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year joined the Lakers this summer after averaging nine points, two rebounds and three assists in 34 games with the Washington Wizards last year. His intensity and willingness to guard anyone will give the Lakers that defensive edge that they have been needing after it was lacking along the perimeter. Opponents shot just 44.8% against Smart when he was the primary defender which showcases his defending skillset. Smart’s ability to initiate transition could definitely help the Lakers significantly once the playoffs come around to be able to set that defensive tone.
The formula is simple: Dončić will orchestrate and James will provide veteran experience. But if Reaves, Ayton, Hacimura and Smart don’t step up, the Lakers could find themselves chasing rather than leading the Western Conference. The regular season starts with all eyes on these four, and how they respond once the season starts.