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Los Angeles Lakers: Evaluating the team’s 5 big-men lineups

By Jacob Zinkula

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during introductions before playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during introductions before playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

2020-21 Regular Season

This season, the Los Angeles Lakers again have three primary big men and five main lineup combinations to choose from. This year, however, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard have been replaced by Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell. Not only do these new players have different skillsets than their predecessors, but they likely have greater expectations for playing time.

McGee and Howard only made $4.0 and $2.6 million respectively last season. In comparison, Harrell is making $9.3 million and is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. While Gasol is only making $2.6 million himself, he’s a former All-Star that clearly took a bit of a pay cut to join a contender in Los Angeles.

Related Story. Lakers: 5 takeaways from the first 5 games. light

How has Frank Vogel deployed his big man minutes thus far? Gasol (19.4 mpg) has started alongside Davis (33.0), but Harrell has seen more minutes (19.4). The vast majority of Davis’s playing time has come alongside Gasol, while Harrell has played the bulk of the “lone center” minutes.

2020-21: Regular Season (through first seven games)

Note: Davis has played 6-of-7 games, while Gasol/Harrell have played all seven.

Anthony Davis: 16 minutes – 4.9 percent (+31.1, 112.9 off., 81.8 def.)

Marc Gasol: 21 minutes – 6.4 percent (+51.5, 135.6 off., 84.1 def.)

Montrezl Harrell: 108 minutes – 33.0 percent (+12.6, 106.9 off., 94.4 def.)

Anthony Davis/Marc Gasol: 115 minutes – 35.2 percent (+9.5, 121.2 off., 111.7 def.)

Anthony Davis/Montrezl Harrell: 67 minutes – 20.5 percent (-3.5, 121.3 off., 124.8 def.)

Given the small sample size, it’s not worth looking too closely at the net ratings of the five above lineup combinations. What is interesting to note, however, is how few minutes Davis has played at center thus far (4.9 percent of the team’s total minutes). Given the enhanced playing time expectations of Gasol/Harrell relative to McGee/Howard, it’s not surprising they’ve seen as much playing time as they have — something that has limited the opportunities for Davis to play center.

Additionally, although Davis played 25.9 percent of the team’s minutes at center last regular season, it’s worth remembering that this saw a major uptick to 52.7 percent in the playoffs. Although the 4.9 percent so far this regular season is quite low, Davis could be playing much more at center once postseason play begins. Given the limited offseason and grind of the regular season, it makes sense for Vogel to play another big with Davis — helping him avoid the physical burden of the center position.

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