4 Lakers to Watch This Season

As the Los Angeles Lakers preseason approaches, there are many young players to watch. After a tough season last year, the Lakers are looking at their young stars to make a big impact. Here are four players to watch.

Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves started last season as an undrafted rookie out of the University of Oklahoma. At 24 years old, Reaves was one of the youngest players on the Lakers roster last year. He played 61 games, averaging 23 minutes and 7.3 points per game. Teammates LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have praised Reaves calling him a “gem” and expressing high hopes for him this upcoming season. 

Juan Toscano Anderson

Juan Toscano Anderson was one of three players who signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers this summer. Last season Toscano Anderson won his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors.

Toscano Anderson averaged just 13.6 minutes and 4.1 points per game last season. It was difficult for him to get playing time on an already established team. The Lakers hope that his versatility on and off the ball will help add to the new identity of this team. 

Thomas Bryant

Thomas Bryant also signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Lakers this offseason. He is coming off of an ACL injury that has kept him in and out of the Washington Wizards lineup for the past two years.

Prior to his injury, Bryant was proving himself to be a dependable big man in the NBA. 2019 was the last full season he played, he averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. The Lakers could use someone with Bryant’s size and athleticism on both offense and defense.

Troy Brown Jr.

Troy Brown Jr. was the third player to sign a veteran minimum contract with the Lakers this offseason. Last season, Brown played for the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 16 minutes and 4.3 points per game. 

Like Toscano Anderson, Brown was on a team that already has their superstars and role players locked in. He hopes to find a more consistent role with the Lakers, as they build for the future. 

Looking toward the future

The Lakers already have their superstars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis set in place, but now it is time to build a good group of role players around them. The past two seasons have been difficult for the team, who surround themselves with aging stars. As they look to the future, they hope Reaves, Toscano Anderson, Bryant and Brown can help take them back to their winning ways.

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