Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup: Ranking their projected starting five

2. Power forward – Anthony Davis

While there was rarely ever any doubt he would leave, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported early Thursday morning that Anthony Davis would be signing a five-year extension worth $190 million to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. The five years came as a surprise as many believed he could take less to keep his options open down the road.

Nevertheless, Davis is among the best big men in the game, and the Lakers have their star locked in. At just 27-years-old, the seven-time All-Star will continue ascending into one of the premier players in the game today because of his elite two-way play. However, Davis is not quite ready to take the reigns as the head of the snake for the Lakers just yet, as his running mate proved this season that he is still atop his game.

1. Small forward – LeBron James

Fresh off winning his fourth Finals MVP award, LeBron James is still the best player on the Los Angeles Lakers, arguably the world. As first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, LA rewarded James for his efforts this past season with a two-year maximum contract extension worth $85 million to remain locked in with Los Angeles until 2023.

With James and Davis now secured for the foreseeable future and a revamped supporting cast, the Lakers are in a prime position to repeat not just next season but for years to come. Having finished second in MVP voting this season, James averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game and will surely find himself back in the conversation next season.