The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to go all-in for Luka Doncic is paying off spectacularly. Sitting in second place in the Western Conference (40-21), the new-look Lakers are firing on all cylinders with Doncic's playmaking brilliance and LeBron James’ dominance leading the way.
The growth of Austin Reaves and the two-way presence of Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura give the Lakers a very complete lineup. With a balance of star power, shooting, and defense, L.A. has evolved from a postseason question mark to a legitimate title contender in just a wave of a wand from Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison.
As the playoffs approach, the Lakers are sending a clear message to the rest of the league: they are gunning for a championship. Let’s break down their best players into four major categories: Best Players, 3-Point Shooters, Defenders, and Underrated.
Laker Best Players
Tier 1 - Luka Doncic, LeBron James
Tier 2 - Austin Reaves
Tier 3 - Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes
Tier 4 - Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Alex Len, Shake Milton
Tier 5 - Trey Jemison III, Cam Reddish, Markieff Morris, Bronny James
The Lakers' star-studded lineup starts at the top with Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Tier 1, forming arguably the most dangerous duo in the NBA. Doncic is delivering his usual All-Star production with 26.6 points, 7.8 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game, manipulating defenses with ease.
Meanwhile, LeBron's age-defying brilliance continues as he posts 24.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per contest, proving that Father Time still hasn’t caught up. The chemistry between these two has elevated L.A.'s offensive ceiling to the second seed when no one thought the team would be there before the season (or the trade deadline).
Austin Reaves finds himself in Tier 2, blossoming into a reliable third option with 19.1 points and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 36.2% from deep. His ability to make plays off the dribble and knock down open shots has been crucial and he is the undisputed third option on the Lakers.
In Tier 3, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith provide versatility, with Hachimura's mid-range scoring (13.3 PPG) and Finney-Smith's 3-and-D impact (8.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG) keeping defenses honest. These two guys are the perfect role players behind the top three players on the team.
The depth extends to Tier 4 with Jarred Vanderbilt (4.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Maxi Kleber offering defensive grit and occasional shooting (35.4% career 3-PT FG), while Tier 5 showcases veteran benchwarmers and even some youth like Bronny James, who is slowly finding his groove in limited minutes but won't have an impact on the Lakers as the playoffs approach.
Lakers Best Defenders
Tier 1 - Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt
Tier 2 - Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish
Tier 3 - LeBron James, Rui Hachimua, Austin Reaves, Alex Len
Tier 4 - Luka Doncic, Markieff Morris, Dalton Knecht, Shake Milton
Tier 5 - Trey Jamison III, Maxi Kleber, Bronny James
On the defensive end, the Lakers don't have an array of stoppers, but they have some key pieces headlined by Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt in Tier 1. Finney-Smith has been doing well against opposing wings, averaging 0.9 steals per game and frequently drawing the toughest assignments. Vanderbilt’s switchability and 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks per game mean he will have an increased role as he continues to get healthy with only 16 appearances this season.
In Tier 2, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish bring length and athleticism, with Hayes swatting 1.0 shots per game and Reddish proving disruptive on the perimeter with his 6'8" frame. Hayes lacks elite physicality and isn't the best around the rim, but he is what the Lakers have right now and he has to be given the confidence to hold down the paint until the offseason. Reddish isn't loved by JJ Redick, but his athleticism means he can always be a factor defensively when motivated.
Tier 3 features LeBron, still capable of impactful help-side defense with 0.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game, and Rui Hachimura, who has been solid in one-on-one situations. James is actually effective at defending the rim as a pseudo-power forward or center, but we don't expect him to be dominant on that end. Hachimura is posting 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game so he has been solid as well.
Surprisingly, Luka Doncic appears in Tier 4—not for his lateral quickness, but for his improved effort and positioning, contributing 1.9 steals per game. The reason Doncic isn't higher is because he gets beat off the dribble against almost any opponent with speed and that won't help the Lakers cause in their bid for a title, but his steals numbers are more than impressive.
Finally, in Tier 5, Jamison III, Kleber, and Bronny aren't stoppers by any means and they won't be responsible for handling most opposing matchups going forward.
Lakers Best 3-Point Shooters
Tier 1 - Rui Hachimura, LeBron James
Tier 2 - Dorian Finney-Smith, Dalton Knecht, Austin Reaves
Tier 3 - Jarred Vanderbilt, Shake Milton
Tier 4 - Luka Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Markieff Morris
Tier 5 - Bronny James, Alex Len, Jaxson Hayes, Trey Jamison III
The Lakers' floor spacing mainly revolves around Tier 1 marksmen Rui Hachimura and LeBron James. Hachimura has emerged as a sniper, hitting 41.0% from three after making 42.2% last year, while LeBron is knocking down 39.4%, showing no signs of slowing down his perimeter game. Their shooting has been instrumental in maximizing spacing for Doncic’s drive-and-kick game.
Tier 2 boasts Dorian Finney-Smith, who is connecting at 40.2% on catch-and-shoot opportunities but only 36.6% with the Lakers so far, and Dalton Knecht, a decent one at 36.3%. Austin Reaves continues to cash in from deep at 36.2%, ensuring defenses can’t sag off him. In Tier 3, Jarred Vanderbilt has tried to improve his corner three, hitting 35.0%, while Shake Milton adds a respectable 37.5% clip but only takes 2.1 attempts per game.
The depth of shooting doesn't exactly extend to Tier 4 with Luka Doncic at 33.9%, a poor mark given his high-volume, off-the-dribble attempts. Gabe Vincent (31.8%) and Cam Reddish (28.9%) round out the group, both providing inconsistent shooting in spot-up roles. Even Bronny James in Tier 5 hasn't shown promise at all, hitting only 20.0% of his limited attempts.
Lakers Most Underrated
Tier 1 - Rui Hachimua, Austin Reaves
Tier 2 - LeBron James, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith
Tier 3 - Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish
Tier 4 - Luka Doncic, Shake Milton, Trey Jamison III, Alex Len, Gabe Vincent
Tier 5 - Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Despite a star-studded roster, the Lakers have several players who aren’t getting the credit they deserve. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves top Tier 1 as the most underrated. Hachimura’s 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on 50.6% shooting and his ability to guard multiple positions have been invaluable. His knack for hitting clutch shots and stretching the floor with 41.0% from deep often goes unnoticed behind the bigger names.
Meanwhile, Reaves’ basketball IQ and versatility allow him to fit seamlessly alongside stars, posting a career-high 19.1 points and 6.0 assists while defending the opposition's top perimeter threats. Reaves’ efficiency and playmaking deserve more shine given how vital he is to the Lakers' balance, and while he gets praise, he should have gotten some All-Star consideration.
LeBron James being in Tier 2 might seem odd, but at 40 years old, his continued dominance has almost become routine. Averaging 24.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, LeBron’s ability to control games with less athleticism and more finesse often gets overlooked. We certainly should be paying more homage to what The King is doing at this age.
Dalton Knecht has been more than solid, averaging 9.0 points per game off the bench despite almost being traded before the deadline. His ability to create his own shot adds a new dimension to the Lakers' second unit. Dorian Finney-Smith’s defensive impact—holding opponents defensively—combined with his 40.2% three-point stroke (for the season) makes him an unsung hero in the rotation.
In Tier 3, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish provide underrated defensive versatility and athleticism. Hayes’ rim protection (1.0 blocks per game) has stabilized the paint when there aren't any other recognizable centers on the team, while Reddish’s length disrupts passing lanes, leading to timely steals. Their contributions don't always show up in box scores but are crucial to the Lakers' defensive schemes. Even if Reddish isn't getting playing time, he has to be considered slightly underrated.
Tier 4's inclusion of Luka Doncic may seem controversial, but we know what to expect from a top-five player in the world. Luka gets praise often, as do the other superstars in the league, so he isn't underrated but rather properly valued as the best player on the team. Shake Milton and Gabe Vincent quietly add depth with reliable shooting and ball-handling but again, their efforts don't show on the box score often. Jamison III has been a big help at times as well and we place him in Tier 4.
Meanwhile, Bronny James in Tier 5 has shown flashes of potential, particularly with his off-ball movement and defensive instincts, but he isn't the guy to be raving about right now and the same goes for veterans Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
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