When one looks at all the preseason predictions for the Los Angeles Lakers, one can come to the conclusion that a realistic expectation for the team would be roughly 50 wins, a playoff appearance and possibly one playoff series victory.
But the Lakers seem to have more talent than a team that will merely fizzle out in the second round of the playoffs. They have two legitimate superstars in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, another player in Austin Reaves who is arguably an All-Star level player and several very solid role players or non-stars.
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For Los Angeles to make the jump from a playoff team to a legitimate championship contender, at least one player will need to raise his game. Any one of these three players has the ability to do so and therefore become an X-factor for the team this coming season.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Smart #36 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts as he is fouled by LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 128-123 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on November 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Marcus Smart
Smart has a quality the Lakers have lacked in recent seasons: the ability to play effective, high-level defense on perimeter players. He is also a reliable secondary ball-handler and facilitator, and he has lots of playoff experience thanks to five trips to the Eastern Conference finals during his time with the Boston Celtics.
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Some feel his game has permanently fallen off a cliff over the last two seasons. But others expect him to bounce back and be relatively close to the player he was in the 2021-22 season when he was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Smart has the ability to change the Lakers’ culture and bring toughness, resourcefulness and leadership. Don’t underestimate the impact a player like him can have.
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jarred Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has become somewhat forgotten, but he can still be an impactful role player for the Lakers. The 6-foot-8 forward is an energetic, versatile and effective defender, and he has the ability to help out on the boards as well.
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He has been very limited offensively, but there is a trickle of hope that perhaps that will change a little bit. He has been healthy this offseason after dealing with injuries and ailments during the previous two summers, and that has given him a chance to work on his game.
If he develops enough of an outside shot to make roughly 35% of his 3-point attempts throughout the season, it would greatly open things up for him. Defenses would no longer be able to leave him wide open in the corners, and it could also earn him more playing time from coach JJ Redick.
Dec 3, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Deandre Ayton
As much as Smart and Vanderbilt can help the Lakers, Ayton has the best opportunity to significantly raise the team’s ceiling — if he wants to.
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His points will come thanks to his deep bag on offense. He will get plenty of opportunities to score easy baskets off lob passes and possibly fast breaks and early offense. One should also count on him to average at least 10 rebounds a game, as he has done in each of his seven seasons in the NBA.
But the million-dollar question with Ayton is whether he will play a meaningful amount of defense. He is very athletic, which means he has the ability to become a plus defender, and he was a fairly solid defender early in his career with the Phoenix Suns. Over the last few years, however, his defense has been very lackluster.
The seven-footer needs to block shots and protect the rim on a regular basis to the point of deterring layup attempts and dribble penetration. He also needs to hold his own when he switches out onto the perimeter and guards smaller players. Overall, he needs to always be engaged and attentive on that end of the floor.
If he does all that, he will significantly change the complexion of the Lakers and give them someone they can build their defensive game plan around.
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Defense is currently the team’s biggest concern. It lacked rim protection after it basically swapped Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in early February, and with 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith gone, it also lacks effective perimeter defenders. L.A. was 17th in defensive rating last season.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Who will be the Lakers’ biggest X-factor this season?