The Los Angeles Lakers are evaluating their roster as they approach the playoffs with a competitive 43-26 record. Currently tied with the Denver Nuggets and leading the Memphis Grizzlies by only 1.5 games, the team must make strategic decisions with 13 games remaining in the regular season.
According to recent reports, Alex Len and Cam Reddish appear to be the most vulnerable players facing potential waiver. The Lakers need to clear at least one roster spot to accommodate Jordan Goodwin, with additional consideration being given to creating space for promising young talents Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko.
Both Jemison and Koloko have made meaningful contributions to the Lakers’ success this season, solidifying their positions within the team. Their performances have impressed the coaching staff enough to warrant continued roster spots as the team prepares for postseason play.
Cam Reddish’s situation illustrates how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA. The 25-year-old forward, who was a regular starter under previous coach Darvin Ham, has struggled to find his role in JJ Redick‘s system. His statistical production has declined significantly:
Reddish’s 2024-25 Season
- Games played: 33
- Points per game: 3.2
- Rebounds per game: 2.0
- Assists per game: 0.7
- Field goal percentage: 40.4%
Alex Len, who joined the Lakers after the team’s planned acquisition of Mark Williams fell through, has also failed to secure a consistent role. Despite his veteran status, Len’s modest contributions of 2.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game have relegated him to third-string center duties behind more impactful frontcourt options.
The Lakers’ roster management reflects their championship aspirations. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic established as the franchise cornerstones, management is focused on surrounding them with complementary players who maximize the team’s playoff potential.
Several players appear secure in their positions:
- Maxi Kleber (retained due to his $11 million contract next season)
- Markieff Morris (valued rotation player)
- Bronny James (developmental prospect with organizational significance)
As the regular season concludes, head coach JJ Redick is expected to tighten his rotation, prioritizing players who will contribute meaningfully during the playoffs. This transition period requires difficult personnel decisions that prioritize postseason readiness over sentimentality.
The Lakers’ front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, must balance immediate competitive needs against longer-term flexibility. Creating roster spots now allows the team to potentially add playoff-eligible veterans from the buyout market who might provide specialized skills for postseason matchups.
For fringe players like Reddish and Len, these final regular season games represent a critical opportunity to demonstrate their value before final roster decisions are made. The stakes are particularly high for Reddish, who now finds himself on his fourth team in five years, struggling to establish consistency at the NBA level.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
