Amid the focus surrounding LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of this year’s Lakers, the team also has several young players poised to make an impact. Whether it’s starting games or sitting and learning on the sidelines, the Lakers have a talented young core ready to contribute when their numbers are called.
*NOTE: This article excludes Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, mentioned in my previous article as potential breakout candidates.
What the Young Lakers Bring to a Championship-Ready Roster
Max Christie
Max Christie has been open about wanting to be in the team’s regular rotation. He showed off his improvement in Summer League, displaying an array of sharpshooting and playmaking skills. Now, as training camp begins, Christie has an opportunity to further his fight.
The 35th pick in the 2023 Draft, Christie split time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate. He displayed his potential through it all, proving his value as a “3-and-D” player.
Christie’s potential was made even more evident after a standout Summer League. In Las Vegas, he put up 19 points per game on 45% shooting from the field and 50% from distance. His efforts earned him All Summer League Second Team honors.
Christie spoke to his work over the summer and his efforts to earn rotational minutes.
“Just putting as much work in as I can, both on the court and in the weight room,” he said. “Also, mentally. If I can get my mind right, then everything physical will follow suit.”
“It was just me trying to work as hard as I can,” he continued. “Control what I can control—which is my work ethic and my attitude—and all that work will hopefully translate into playing this year.”
As it stands right now, Christie has a shot at sliding in as the backup shooting guard, unless D’Angelo Russell switches to the two. He could also have an opportunity to play on the wing, though the team is set there with LeBron and Taurean Prince. Christie certainly has the tools to succeed in the Lakers’ rotation. It’s a matter of continually proving himself in camp and gaining the trust of Darvin Ham and his staff. Only then can his hard work truly pay off.
Jarred Vanderbilt
One of the Lakers acquired at last year’s trade deadline, 24-year-old forward Jarred Vanderbilt won over the hearts of Lakers fans with his hustle and defensive chops. Now, with a full offseason (and new extension) under his belt, Vando has a chance to enhance the team’s frontcourt over the course of 82 games and beyond.
Following the trade to LA, Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 24 minutes per contest in the regular season. Though postseason opportunities were hard to come by, Vanderbilt still made his presence known defensively. As part of his defensive improvements, Vanderbilt says he has worked on strength and conditioning to chase smaller guards (e.g. Steph Curry) around.
Vanderbilt touched on the rest of his offseason work during media day.
“I worked a lot on shooting, finishing, ball-handling, just touching up everything,” he said. “As well as defensively, getting stronger, getting faster, getting more agile. I feel like each and every summer, I try to get better at every aspect of the game.”
Vanderbilt’s shooting is a notable aspect of his improvement. Though he isn’t considered a “stretch four,” he could very well develop into one. He shot 40% from the midrange and 34% on corner triples last season, and there’s a good chance he could improve both marks with increased reps.
Vando’s attention to detail will serve him well this season, particularly as the backup to LeBron or Hachimura. His growth on the offensive end will be vital, but he has established himself as one of the team’s most reliable defenders.
Jaxson Hayes
The first big man signed to complement Davis, 24-year-old Jaxson Hayes is ready for a larger responsibility on a brighter stage.
Hayes is willing to play whatever role is needed of him to help the Lakers, but one aspect he believes he can thrive in is pick-and-roll situations.
“I just want to be the guy that brings a lot of energy, and being our true screen-and-roll big,” Hayes said.
The Lakers found plenty of success in screen-and-roll situations last year, scoring an average of 1.27 points per possession—good for third in the league. They led the NBA in scoring frequency at 61.4%.
Likewise, Hayes found plenty of success as NOLA’s main roller, scoring 82% of the time and averaging 1.54 PPP. With playmakers such as LeBron, DLo, Reaves and Vincent, Hayes will continue to thrive as the roll man in LA. His athleticism will also benefit him in finishing lobs and defending the paint.
No matter his role, Hayes’s skill set perfectly complements those of Davis and Christian Wood, giving the Lakers a balanced center rotation. Now, Hayes has the chance to play in a winning rotation—a challenge he’ll certainly rise up to.
Cam Reddish
24-year-old Cam Reddish is set to play for his fourth team in five seasons. However, it doesn’t stop him from continuing to prove his worth and vying for minutes in a crowded frontcourt.
In 20 games (12 starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 11 points per game on 44% shooting from the field and 31% from distance. That performance, coupled with LA’s previous interest in him, made Reddish an ideal offseason signing for the team’s wing depth.
Reddish touched on his two-way versatility as a key skill to fit in with the purple and gold.
“Being able to shoot the three and drive and make plays,” he said. “And defensively, being able to guard all the positions…and doing that to the best of my ability.”
Though it will be difficult for him to gain significant minutes with James and Prince in front of him, Reddish can be used as a plug-and-play option. His energy and athleticism are apparent, and they are key tools next to his perimeter shooting and defense. There’s also the possibility that Reddish plays with Prince in certain lineups, but it’s unlikely he takes the backup wing spot over the veteran.
Whether he gains consistent minutes or plays in spurts, Reddish can make a good impression on the Lakers. He has developed into a decent rotation player on younger teams, and even played well for the Hawks’ 2021 postseason run. Now, he has a chance to translate that development onto a championship contender, and all signs point to a bright future ahead.
The Rookies: Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis
Finally, the Lakers have been known for finding young talent through the draft, and they have done it again with two of their new rookies.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jalen Hood-Schifino—LA’s 17th pick—is a talented facilitator who succeeds on both ends. One of his strongest suits is, fittingly, the pick-and-roll, which bodes well for his opportunities next to LA’s three bigs. JHS showed impressive finishing and defense during Summer League. In six games, he averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
As Hood-Schifino heads into camp, he says he’s been taking advice from veteran guards in Russell, Reaves and Gabe Vincent.
“The main thing is really being all ears and all eyes,” he said. “Obviously, they’re all really good players. For me to come in and have those guys already here, I think it’s going to be cool…The main thing really is learning and finding ways to get better every single day.”
Maxwell Lewis
Maxwell Lewis, the Lakers’ 42nd pick, comes to the team as another young wing. The 6-foot-7 forward was a standout at Pepperdine, and now brings his scoring ability to the Lakers. Lewis flashed his sharpshooting and defense in Summer League, and had glimpses of playmaking potential. Though he’s part of the team’s plethora of wings, he has received encouragement from his coaches and teammates.
“[Keep] it simple…catch and shoot, don’t hesitate and [make] less mistakes,” he said.
Prioritizing his catch-and-shoot threes will be key for the Lakers, who nailed 36.2% of those opportunities last season (19th in the NBA). Lewis, like Hood-Schifino, enters the league with plenty of NBA-level skills. Training camp and the rest of his rookie year will be a great indicator of his strengths and weaknesses, and there’s no doubt he can play meaningful minutes in the near future.
The Last Word on the Young Lakers
All of these players, regardless of role, can make key contributions to the Lakers at some point this season. They have shown a willingness to grow over the summer and remain hungry for their opportunities, earning them along the way. As training camp continues and preseason looms, expect these guys to continue their work and impress everyone throughout the process.
