The Los Angeles Lakers have entered training camp with 16 players on standard NBA contracts, one more than the league allows for the regular season. Because two-way contracts, Chris Mañon, Arthur Kaluma and AK Okereke, do not count toward the 15-man limit, the club must decide which standard-contract player to waive or trade before opening night.
The roster is built around Luka Doncic, now the franchise’s cornerstone after the team’s transition following LeBron James’ exit. Austin Reaves re-signed to the largest contract ever given to an undrafted player, underscoring the organization’s commitment to its home-grown talent. Front-court depth was bolstered by the acquisition of Walker Kessler, whose interior defense and rim protection are expected to complement Doncic’s playmaking.
Beyond the core trio, a deep bench supplies a range of options. Quentin Grimes arrives as a two-way guard who can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor. Sandro Mamukelashvili provides front-court shooting and versatility. On the wings, Jarred Vanderbilt and Matisse Thybulle offer elite perimeter defense, while Jake LaRavia and Ziaire Williams add size and wing depth. Scoring guard Collin Sexton, young perimeter scorer Jaden Hardy, and veteran big man Kevon Looney round out the roster, each capable of carving a role in Redick’s rotations.
Depth is the Lakers’ most obvious asset, but it also creates a logjam for minutes. The 15-player cap forces a decision: the team can waive a player, negotiate a trade, or convert a standard contract to a two-way deal. Any move will shape the final composition of the bench and could bring in a specialist, such as a three-point shooter or a defensive wing, to address specific needs.
Head coach JJ Redick will make his final roster assessment during preseason games, where performance will dictate the cuts. The outcome will set the tone for the Doncic-era, as the Lakers balance the desire for depth against the imperative to field a competitive line-up in a Western Conference that rewards pace and spacing.
