The Lakers have developed a foolproof plan to contend: have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The rest of the roster isn’t particularly impressive, but it doesn’t really matter. As long as James and Davis are on the court, the Lakers are borderline favorites to win it all.
This draft gives L.A. the chance to add young, cheap talent around James and Davis, which isn’t particularly abundant on the current roster. In an attempt to save cap space for 2022 and beyond, the Lakers signed a slew of veterans to short-term deals. At some point, the Lakers need to cultivate reliable, long-term depth.
Devon Dotson is a prime option late in the first round. He’s a jitterbug scorer who can space the floor and fill the Lakers’ void at point guard. He’s not a true lead playmaker, but James’ presence nullifies the need for one. Dotson can fill it up, and that’s all L.A. needs from him.