The Los Angeles Lakers, once again, find themselves with a roster imbalance—too many guards. Under the guidance of general manager Rob Pelinka, the Lakers had consistently stacked their guard rotation. 2024 is no different. Despite offseason efforts to resolve this guard issue, Pelinka now faces a dilemma that leaves the Lakers undersized and at a disadvantage in both physicality and athleticism against many of their competitors.
NBA Business: Rob Pelinka ‘Dooming’ JJ Redick And Lakers With Guard Problem
A Crowded Backcourt
At first glance, having too many guards seems like a luxury, but in the case of the Lakers, it’s more of a problem. The current rotation includes D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and even Bronny James. Each player brings something unique to the table. However, the Lakers are running into challenges when it comes to their overall lineup balance.
The frontcourt lacks the necessary depth and size to contend with the league’s most physical teams. This leads to defensive mismatches and rebound issues that can’t be masked by a crowded backcourt. Although Pelinka tried to address the imbalance this offseason, the Lakers have yet to find a solution that optimizes their roster.
Financial Commitment to Guards
The Lakers have tied up a significant portion of their salary cap in the guard position. Russell is on an $18.6 million deal. Reaves, fresh off a breakout season, is earning $12.9 million. Vincent takes up $11.0 million. Christie, Hood-Schifino, and James round out the group with $7.1 million, $3.8 million, and $1.1 million respectively.
That’s a total of nearly $55 million locked into guards alone, limiting the flexibility to make significant upgrades in the frontcourt. Some of these players offer long-term upside. The Lakers’ current construction puts them at a disadvantage when facing teams with more size and athleticism.
The Logjam
The Lakers’ guard-heavy roster also presents a playing time dilemma. Russell and Reaves are starters, but there are only so many minutes to go around for the remaining guards. Vincent, for example, was brought in as a key contributor in 2023. He may struggle to find consistent minutes as head coach JJ Redick prioritizes his younger options…