Heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have a giant chip on their shoulders. With two-way star Anthony Davis returning to full health, the Lakers are hoping to leave last season in the past. There are championship aspirations on the table, with the newly added head coach, Darvin Ham, leading the way.
Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office understands that having depth at the point guard position will be crucial to making a run at the NBA Finals. Following the addition of defensive specialist Patrick Beverley, the Lakers quickly signed another high-quality point guard Dennis Schröder.
This leaves three starting-caliber point guards in the Lakers’ backcourt. Despite the ridiculous depth Ham has to work with, he will likely be leaning on the contributions of a former MVP. Pairing Russell Westbrook’s athletic abilities with the superstar play of LeBron James will place a ton of pressure on the defensive game plan of opposing teams.
Ham could also go with a lineup of all three point guards, plus James and Davis in the front court. This group of players has everything from high-end scoring and play-making to lock-down defensive upside. If all goes as planned, the Los Angeles Lakers could secure one of the top seeds in the Western Conference and one of the best records in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the most substantial point guard depth in the entire NBA.
The point guard trio of Westbrook, Beverley, and Schröder will be the primary reason the Los Angeles Lakers reclaim their spot in the Western Conference. After the Lakers traded with the Utah Jazz, several concerns surged around the coexistence of Westbrook and Beverley. Furthermore, concerns about their fit together did not last long as it appears these two get along very well.
Russell Westbrook didn’t just watch Patrick Beverley’s press conference from the side. He made sure Pat Bev looked good, tossing him a towel to wipe his sweat from working out.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 6, 2022
Pat Bev: “First dime of the year.”
Russ laughed. The Lakers point guards on the same page so far. pic.twitter.com/ruQHJlaFkU
Additionally, Beverley will likely be the x-factor in the Lakers’ championship hopes. Beverley has only missed the playoffs once throughout his ten seasons playing in the NBA. In the one season that didn’t result in a playoff appearance, Beverley only played a total of 11 games. This adds to how significant Beverley’s impact can be on the rest of the team.
The Lakers’ signing of Schröder was one of their best moves of the off-season. Not only can he push the pace on offense, but he brings a level of intensity that the Lakers significantly need. In addition, Schröder’s speed and quickness can open up the rest of Ham’s game plan on both ends of the court. Last season, Schröder averaged 1.7 deflections per game. This statistic is comparable to several defensive-minded point guards.
Meanwhile, Westbrook could easily have one of the best years of his career this season. Ham is exceptionally high on Westbrook, as he knows how to utilize him to the best of his abilities. The competitiveness that Westbrook brings to the Lakers is an ingredient that has been missing for quite some time. Although Westbrook is immensely talented, his locker-room presence will help guide the Lakers to a deep postseason run.
The 2022–23 NBA season will be crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers. With James in the late stages of his career, Ham and the Lakers must find any way possible to win the franchise’s 18th championship. That goal is much more manageable, with Westbrook, Beverley, and Schröder facilitating the offense.