Injuries have unfortunately disrupted the Lakers’ rotation plan this season. Vanderbilt has missed 10 games, Vincent six, Hachimura four, and Prince two. While none of them are the team’s primary stars, BD Cricket reporters note that they are essential rotation players who play critical roles throughout the regular season. The Lakers’ perimeter defense has taken a significant hit with several key pieces missing.
Head coach Darvin Ham has previously stated that if Vanderbilt were healthy, he likely would have started on opening night. Once he returns, there’s a strong chance he’ll reclaim a starting role. Reddish has been playing well recently, but his minutes may decrease once Vanderbilt and Vincent return. In a fully healthy lineup, the Lakers’ main rotation will likely include LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Vanderbilt, Hachimura, Prince, Vincent, and Christian Wood. Reddish would be the tenth man—unless he continues outperforming Prince.
The Lakers perform better when they field a larger frontcourt. Defensive rebounding, second-chance points, and rim protection are all areas where size matters. When Davis, LeBron, Wood, and Hachimura are on the floor together, opponents find it tough to grab offensive boards. In contrast, when Ham uses a three-guard lineup, the Lakers often lose the battle on the glass. Regardless, today’s Lakers defense is no longer on par with their championship season. To make a serious title run, they need to improve their three-point shooting efficiency. As the saying goes, don’t let regret pile up—sometimes, you have to know when to let go.
BD Cricket users observed that Ham has been experimenting by moving Reaves to the bench to diversify the starting offense, using Reddish to bolster perimeter defense. But so far, the results have been mixed. The Lakers must closely monitor their slow starts in the first quarter and assess whether the return of Vanderbilt and Vincent can fix this recurring issue.
Christian Wood has quietly proven many doubters wrong. While his minutes, shot volume, and usage rate remain modest, he’s helped strengthen the team’s rebounding—especially when Davis is pulled out of the paint. His plus-minus is second only to LeBron, and their two-man lineup has become one of the team’s most effective combinations. Wood’s height and wingspan have offset some of his defensive limitations. While questions remain about how he’ll perform in a playoff series against teams like the Nuggets or Celtics, that’s a problem for another day. For now, Wood has exceeded expectations.
Hachimura, once a frontrunner for the starting small forward spot, struggled during training camp and preseason, leading to his current role off the bench. Since returning from concussion protocol, however, he’s shooting 80% on two-pointers and now plays more like a pick-and-roll big than a pure scoring wing. Ham has consistently said he wants Hachimura to be more aggressive and contribute in areas beyond scoring. Truth is, caring too much about others’ opinions only leads to frustration.
Though Hachimura may not reclaim a starting role immediately, BD Cricket reporters believe he could play a pivotal part in closing lineups. With the Lakers aiming to build momentum, his development could be a key piece to finishing games strong.