Last season: 43 wins and 39 losses, reached the Western Conference Finals
Coach: Darvin Ham (second season with Lakers, 43-39)
What to expect: After making several major changes to a struggling team at the final trade deadline and subsequently making a run at the NBA Final Four, the Lakers have decided they don’t need an annual roster overhaul. This time around, general manager Rob Pelinka has largely tried to maintain continuity around James and Anthony Davis. As a result, they appear to have their most cohesive roster since the 2020 championship season. Los Angeles re-signed Davis, Austin Reeves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Jared Vanderbilt, bringing together a mostly solid cast of role players. Starting in March, surrounding two superstars. The new roster combines depth, balance and versatility. Reeves returns with a new contract as the starting shooting guard and more confidence from his impressive international play. Hachimura and Vanderbilt will likely compete for the fifth starting spot at small forward. But the health of James and Davis since their arrival in Hollywood will determine whether the Lakers are serious contenders for the franchise’s 18th championship.
Starting: Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, Lonnie Walker, Troy Brown Jr., Wenyen Gabriel
Added: Gabe Vincent, Jackson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Player to watch: Russell. The much-traveled point guard performed well after rejoining the Lakers, but struggled in the conference finals against the Denver Nuggets and was relegated to a secondary role. He still re-signed with Los Angeles, even as the Lakers added Vincent, and Ham confidently declared Russell the starting point guard before the start of training camp. Russell, 27, knows he has the best chance to reach his full NBA potential and has spent the offseason working to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
Season opener: Oct. 24 at Denver.
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