After a few key roster additions this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers begin the 2025-26 season viewed nationally as one of the favorites to win the 2026 NBA Finals.

Rob Pelinka & Co. signed free agents Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, each to two-year contracts. The team re-signed Luka Dončić and Jaxson Hayes and selected Adou Thiero with the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Advertisement

Behind their offseason moves, the Lakers currently have the sixth-highest championship odds (plus-1600) under second-year coach JJ Redick. They are hopeful Dončić can stay hot from his run with Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025, while receiving strong contributions from the rest of the roster.

With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Lakers’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.

PGApr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

  1. Luka Dončić: $45,999,660

  2. Gabe Vincent: $11,500,000

SGApr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

  1. Austin Reaves: $13,937,574

  3. Dalton Knecht: $4,010,160

SFApr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

  1. Rui Hachimura: $18,259,259

PFApr 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Apr 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

  1. LeBron James: $52,627,153

  2. Jarred Vanderbilt: $11,571,429

CFeb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2, left) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2, left) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

  1. Deandre Ayton: $8,104,000

Two-Way Contracts

Lakers salary information via Spotrac

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Lakers depth chart: Projecting starters, backups for 2025-26 season