The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 89-118 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks in their most recent game. The Lakers trailed by as many as 35 points in the game, which was never in doubt. However, the loss was not meaningless for the Lakers. With the team strategically resting most of its starters and due to injury issues, the game became an important opportunity to examine the role of fringe players. With the arrival of Luka and the departure of Davis, the Lakers’ lineup has undergone significant changes, and they need to use games like this to determine the final playoff roster.
At present, the Lakers’ 15-man starting roster is full, but there are still three two-way contract players waiting to be evaluated. This has raised the question of who should stay and who should go. In particular, the two-way contract players, Goodwin, Jamison and Koloko, whose future depth is directly related to the team’s future.
The two-way players: who stays and who goes?
First, let’s look at the performance of the two-way players. According to NBA regulations, two-way players can play a maximum of 50 regular season games and are not allowed to play in the playoffs. Currently, Goodwin has only four games left, while Jermaine has eight. The Lakers obviously want to save their appearances for the crucial stages that may follow.
Goodwin: the defensive stalwart
With a height of just 1.91 meters, Goodwin is a guard, but he has surprisingly good rebounding skills. In 21.5 minutes per game, he can grab 4.1 rebounds, a figure that even exceeds some forwards. Although his offensive performance is average, his fierce defense and positive attitude make him an important addition to the Lakers’ defensive end.
Jermaine: Potential inside player
In contrast, Jamison’s performance was a little flat. In this game against the Bucks, he only played 16 minutes, scoring 4 points and 5 rebounds. Nevertheless, the Lakers are short of interior personnel, and Hayes is the only reliable center. Jamison’s presence can provide some support for the team, especially when facing strong teams.
Korok: young and untapped
Koloko is a young center developed by the Lakers themselves, and is still in the growth stage. Although he still has deficiencies in terms of skill and experience, his potential is worth looking forward to as part of a long-term investment.
On the whole, if a choice has to be made between two-way contract players, it is more likely that Goodwin and Jamison will be retained first, while Koloko may be abandoned for the time being.
Layoffs in the starting lineup
In addition to the two-way contract players, the Lakers’ starting lineup is also facing adjustments. Of the current 15-man roster, several players have not performed well and can even be said to have fallen out of the rotation.
Ryan: An underperforming substitute
Lainé is a center the Lakers “stole” from the Pacers, but his performance has fallen far short of expectations. Before the game against the Bucks, he had only played a total of 7 games and scored a total of only 8 points. Even in today’s game, he contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds, but this is more due to the weakness of the opponent. From an overall performance perspective, Lainé’s speed, strength and technique are difficult to adapt to the high-intensity game rhythm. Considering that his annual salary is only $740,000, cutting him is the most cost-effective option.
Redish: A marginalized first round pick
Redish’s situation is more complicated. As a 2019 first round pick (#10), his defensive ability is beyond doubt, but he has always lacked consistent output on the offensive end. Since Davis’ injury, Redish has been almost completely benched. In the past two months, he has played for less than seven minutes in just one game against the Nuggets and did not score a single point. Today, due to the extremely thin lineup, he was given 23 minutes of playing time, but he was still inefficient (1 of 6 from the field for just 2 points). Although cutting him would be a waste of $2.46 million in salary, it is a necessary sacrifice from a tactical point of view.
Why not cut Brownie?
Some fans may ask, why not cut Brownie? The answer is actually very simple. Brownie has a special status. He is not only James’ son, but also a rising star that the Lakers are focusing on cultivating. The team offered him a four-year contract, with the first three years guaranteed, worth a total of $8 million. In addition, cutting a rookie is not in line with league practice, so Brownie’s position is safe for now.
Conclusion: Final prediction for the Lakers roster
Based on the above analysis, I believe the Lakers should adopt the following strategies:
- Two-way contract players: retain Goodwin and Jermaine, waive Koroc.
- Regular roster: cut Ryan and Reddish to free up two spots.
These adjustments will not only optimize the overall structure of the team, but also ensure greater flexibility in the playoffs. Of course, the final decision rests with Pelinka, so let’s wait and see!
