The Lakers new lineup bench depth looks impressive after Smart signs

According to US sports media F/W reporter Nico Martinez. After one of the biggest deals in team history, it is very important for the Lakers to make some improvements this summer. With Doncic's roster and James' retirement possible, the Lakers core has not had much time to compete for the championship seriously for the last time. Fortunately, despite losing some big names, the Lakers managed to make some upgrades in several positions during the offseason, including center, point guard and forward. In their latest signing, they signed veteran defender Smart to further strengthen their rotation.

Now, the Lakers are not only ready to play an important role in the West—they are on the cusp of a championship, with enough star strength, depth and experience to challenge the best teams in the league. Here is a breakdown of the Lakers’ updated depth map and it reveals their overall championship prospects.

Point guards: Doncic, Smart, Vincent, Goodwin

Scorebacks: Reeves, Knecht, Milton

Small forwards: James, Laravia, Brownie

Power forwards: Hachimura, Van Debiao

Centers: Ayton, Hayers, Kleber

Starters: Doncic, Reeves, James, Hachimura, Ayton

When the stars do their things, the supporting roles will stand up when needed to provide stable support throughout the game. What really different from the Lakers today and last year's team is Ayton's joining. Unlike Hayes, he is a starting center who can play big data (16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in his career). Ayton's inside performance and rebounding can help the Lakers advance to the next level of qualified contenders. There is also Hachimura Shizuo, whose size and skills make him the perfect mix of swingman. The x factor for the Lakers is Reeves. At the age of 27, he has just entered his peak period, and some fans want to see him leap again before reaching his peak. He averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game last season, which would make a huge contribution to the Lakers if he could maintain this level in the future. In addition, he will also receive support from senior swingman Hachimura Hiroshi. In general, the Lakers' starting lineup is objectively stable compared to the Western Conference competitors. If they can work together to cultivate chemistry and stay healthy, few teams can handle them on the court.

Bench depth has always been a recurring problem for the Lakers. In the past, their teams were always more top-heavy and had little flexibility to fill the supporting cast. However, this summer, the Lakers have moved from star chasing to depth and diversity in lineups. The result is a second team that will be on par with some of the league's top contenders next season.

Starting with Smart, his defense on the outside will be huge for the Lakers, especially since they will have two weaker defenders (Doncic and Reeves) starting together. But with his experience and influence on the field, he will provide a significant boost to the Lakers. The Lakers can also try Vincent, one of their most trusted substitutes last season, averaging 6.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists and shooting 40.0% from the field.

Knecht He is expected to be an important part of their bench, becoming a top shooter and floor spacer. He may be on the same side as Lakers freshman Laravia. He averaged 6.9 points per game last season, at 6-foot-8. Vanderbilt’s time on the court may be limited due to his shooting issues, but he will certainly see some time being a fighting and versatile defensive wing. He and Hayes will be used to strengthen the Lakers’ defense and ensure frontcourt rotations stay alive for all the time on the court.

On paper, they have all the elements: Dong Zhan's elite star power, Reeves' reliable third scorer, Ayton's qualified big man, and a significantly improved backup lineup led by Smart. If the chemistry develops and the roster remains healthy, Los Angeles can definitely go deep into the playoffs in the Western Conference. But Redick, Doncic and the rest of the team are under pressure to prove that it can translate potential into productivity to help the team win.