Lakers 2021-22 preview: A closer look at the roster

Name, position, height, weight, school/country, age

CARMELO ANTHONY, F, 6-7, 238, Syracuse, 37

There’s no better player to start off with than to ask the question that defines this roster: How much juice does he have left? Melo reinvented himself with two seasons in Portland, shooting above 40 percent from 3-point range last year and embracing a bench role. But his desire to post up and his limitations on defense will be year-long question marks on his effectiveness for the Lakers.

TREVOR ARIZA, F, 215, UCLA, 36

An injury has already started off his second Lakers tenure on the wrong foot: Ariza is out until at least December following ankle surgery. Theoretically, when he returns, he could help unlock the Lakers’ smaller lineups with his spacing and defense. But realistically, it’s been years since he’s shown an ability to contribute at a high level for a contending team.

KENT BAZEMORE, G, 6-4, 195, Old Dominion, 32

Defensively, Bazemore has stood out as the kind of perimeter player Coach Frank Vogel needs after the Lakers lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade) and Alex Caruso (free agency). His come-and-go 3-point shooting might make his minutes come and go as well.

AVERY BRADLEY, G, 6-2, 185, Texas, 30

The Lakers claimed Bradley off of waivers on Monday afternoon, filling out their 15th spot with a guard who was once considered the tone-setter of Coach Frank Vogel’s defensive scheme. With injuries (Talen Horton-Tucker among them) already creating some uncertainty with the Lakers’ guard rotation, this provides some depth, especially when it comes to perimeter defense.

ANTHONY DAVIS, F, 6-10, 253, Kentucky, 28

The biggest question fans have is his availability. After a solid first season playing 62 of 71 games, Davis regressed after not getting a full offseason to get into shape. The All-Star big man says he’s back and re-engaged after a full summer, but his willingness to play center is another looming issue for lineups that could need the spacing he can provide in the middle.

SEKOU DOUMBOUYA*, F, 6-8, 230, Limoges, France, 20

The Lakers have a liability at forward created by injuries; Doumbouya is potentially one strike away from being out of the league. The physical forward isn’t exactly an inspiring prospect at this point, but he is a body who can hold the line at a position of need – if the Lakers need him at all.

WAYNE ELLINGTON, G, 6-4, 207, North Carolina, 33

Assuming his hamstring injury isn’t serious, the door is wide open for Ellington (another returning Laker) to seize minutes. One thing the LeBron-Westbrook-Davis lineups don’t have locked in is a steady shooter. If he can play within the defense convincingly enough, Ellington’s off-ball movement and quick trigger deep ball is something the Lakers sorely need.

TALEN HORTON-TUCKER, G, 6-4, 234, Iowa State, 20

Horton-Tucker’s thumb injury is a huge blow for the Lakers, who hope to get him back in another month or so. While he’s shown his best skills scoring off the dribble, this is the year when the 20-year-old needs to grow into a defensive stopper on the wing. He has the length and the physicality to be that piece for the Lakers, but he’s been inconsistent.

DWIGHT HOWARD, C, 6-10, 265, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, 35

The center who joined the Lakers two years ago was broken, on his last possible chance in the NBA. Now, Howard knows his role as well as anyone. He’s still physically tough on opponents, and he brings a jolt of energy to the defense off the bench. The guardrail Howard needs is when he gets overzealous, which can get him in foul trouble in a hurry.

JAY HUFF*, C, 7-1, 240, Virginia, 23

Huff averaged 13 points, 7.1 rebounds and shot above 38% from 3-point range as a senior at UVA. He was a member of the Cavaliers’ 2019 NCAA championship team and was in training camp with the Washington Wizards until the Lakers added him on Monday. The two-way contract player is another spacing big man, and frontcourt insurance if anyone gets hurt.

LeBRON JAMES, F, 6-9, 250, St. Vincent-St. Mary, 36

If anyone needs to work especially hard to make the superstar trio work, it’s James. He’s started reinventing his game, taking more 3-point shots than ever before. He’s perhaps the one voice who can get Russell Westbrook to buy into the Lakers’ system while simultaneously convincing Davis to play more center. Oh, and can he keep up his All-NBA production into his late 30s?

DeANDRE JORDAN, C, 6-11, 265, Texas A&M, 33

Nominally one of the Brooklyn superstars, Jordan fell out of favor with Nets fans quickly. His concentration on defense oscillates, and his offensive game crowds the floor at the rim. There’s still a great athlete inside Jordan, and he’s drawn good reviews in training camp. But if the Lakers find they need more spacing, Jordan could see his role decrease.

MALIK MONK, G, 6-3, 200, Kentucky, 23

Without the advantages of a big contract or veteran experience, the former lottery pick convincingly elbowed his way into the preseason position battles. It’s well understood that Monk is a walking bucket, but his minutes will likely be more determined by his willingness to defend which hasn’t been there in his first few seasons.

KENDRICK NUNN, G, 6-2, 190, Oakland, 26

A hard-nosed guard who played for Miami in the 2020 Finals, Nunn was regarded by many observers as one of the Lakers’ best under-the-radar signings. He’s small but gritty, a player who is not the master of any one discipline, but one who can cut, shoot and handle the ball fairly well. He’ll have to probe his versatility, because many of his teammates do bring one very good skill to the table.

AUSTIN REAVES, G, 6-5, 197, Oklahoma, 23

No one has seen his profile grow this preseason as quickly as Reaves, who inherited more minutes after a spate of injuries. The Arkansas native has a janky game, but he can shoot and knows where to be on the floor alongside the superstars. It’s probably too early for the skinny rookie to earn a real role, but he’ll likely see the court in spurts this season.

RAJON RONDO, G, 6-1, 180, Kentucky, 35

A chemistry fit to the core, Rondo has cult hero status for his role on the 2020 championship team. Every regular season, he’s given cause to think his NBA days have passed. He’s a liability on defense and a so-so shooter. On this Lakers team, he’s an emergency guard, but you never can count out “Playoff Rondo” once the postseason begins.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK, G, 6-3, 200, UCLA, 32

The Lakers bet big on talent this summer, bringing in a former league MVP who is making his fourth stop in as many seasons. Westbrook brings energy, tenacity and all-world passing ability, but he also shoots inconsistently and loses focus on defense. The Lakers seem intent on making him an off-ball weapon if they can, and building discipline on defense that he’s never had before. Will it work? Is Russ willing to do things the Laker way rather than his own?

*two-way contract player