The Los Angeles Lakers begin the 2025-26 season, hosting the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with the expectation of being a true contender in a tough Western Conference.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James headline the Lakers’ roster, but it will be the depth the organization has put around the two superstars that will determine how deep the Lakers can make a run in the playoffs.
The Lakers managed to finish third in the Western Conference and made the playoffs last season after acquiring Dončić on Feb. 2, but finished out the postseason with three straight losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
While guard Austin Reaves, forward Rui Hachimura and center Deandre Ayton round out the starting lineup, here are some underrated players on the roster this season that could help make a difference this season.
Marcus Smart, Guard
Smart could prove to be a key contributor for the Lakers. He could give the Lakers a physical point-of-attack defender.
The guard is a three-time all-defensive player and won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2021-22 season. In the seasons that followed, he has struggled to stay healthy.
He’s dealt with a finger issue dating back to December of 2024 that carried over throughout the early part of 2025.
Smart spent the last season with both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards, starting in just seven of the 34 games he played together. With the small sample size, he averaged nine points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game in 20 minutes played.
Gabe Vincent, Guard
Vincent adds a level of versatility for the Lakers, showing the ability to play as a point guard and a shooting guard.
He will be in the starting lineup, replacing James, for the season opener when the Lakers host the Warriors on Tuesday.
The veteran guard showed why he’s a valuable asset for the Lakers’ depth, scoring 14 points in the preseason finale on 5-of-6 shooting from the field in 23 minutes of play. He was 4-of-5 from the three-point line. He also produced another double-digit scoring output, with 18 points in the first four minutes of play against the Dallas Mavericks after going 5-for-5 from three.
The UC Santa Barbara product scored 6.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 72 games played last season for the Lakers.
Maxi Kleber, Center
Kleber arrived in Los Angeles as part of the Dončić trade with the Mavericks. Kleber was dealing with a foot fracture that sidelined him, and he didn’t see time on the court for the Lakers until the playoffs, where he played just one game.
Kleber is already questionable for the season opener against the Warriors because of an abdominal injury.
If he can stay healthy, he could serve as another backup big man who can stretch the floor for the Lakers.
Jaxson Hayes, Center/Forward
Hayes is no stranger to the fan base, having taken over as the starting center after Anthony Davis was traded to the Mavericks.
Hayes can play as a forward and a center, but appeared to fall out of favor with coach JJ Redick during the postseason and saw limited action. He started four of the team’s five playoff games but averaged just 7.8 minutes.
Hayes could potentially thrive with the second unit, where he isn’t dealing with the expectation of filling Davis’ shoes.
He averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. Hayes started 35 of the 56 games he played last season.
