The 3 new players upgraded to the 14-man roster, who will become the Lakers X factor in the new season? US media shows the 3-man roster

Signing three new players to upgrade to the 14-man roster, who will become the Lakers' X factor in the new season? The US media "Yahoo Sports" released a list of three players, among which Ayton won the championship strongly.

The Lakers have signed three new players

Compared with the drastic moves in the past few seasons, the Lakers have become cautious and have not completed any trading operations since the offseason, because the new season will be an alternating stage between Doncic and James.

Fortunately, the Lakers completed the reinforcement in the free and buyout market. First, they signed Laravia to replace Finney Smith, who left the team, and then won Ayton and Smart in the buyout market at a low price to strengthen the inside and backcourt defense.

More importantly, the Lakers completed the operation within an extremely limited salary space, basically using Finney Smith to Laravia, Ayton and Smart.

Comprehensive upgrade of the 14-man roster

Under this circumstance, the Lakers also completed the lineup upgrade without any pain. The 14-man roster is as follows:

Estimated starters: Doncic, Reeves, James, Haymura Less and Ayton;

9 substitutes: Smart, Vincent, Brownie, Kneckett, Laravia, Adu Tiero, Van Debiao, Hays and Cleber.

The US media showed 3 major X factors

With only 4 days left before the new season's preseason, the US media "Yahoo Sports" also showed 3 major X factors of the Lakers' new season, among which Ayton ranked first.

X Factor Three: Smart

As a former DPOY, Smart was the defensive core of the Celtics at his peak and was also the second ball-holding point that was seriously underestimated.

And players who can combine these two abilities are precisely the most needed target for the Lakers in the past few years. Especially when Reeves refused to renew his contract during the offseason and the new nuclear Doncic has obvious defensive shortcomings, Smart, who has rich playoff experience and excellent leadership, has the hope of becoming Doncic's perfect backcourt partner.

is regarded as an X-factor because Smart has suffered from injuries in the past two seasons, causing his personal condition to fall to the bottom. It is still unknown whether he can bottom out and rebound in the new season.

X Factor 2: Vanderbilt

In healthy situation, Vanderbilt is one of the best defenders in the Lakers' roster. The defensive diversity he can provide and the secondary offense after the frontcourt rebound are all the capabilities that the Lakers need, otherwise the Purple and Gold Army would not provide it with a multi-year ten million contract.

It's a pity that Vanderbilt is in a similar situation to Smart. He has suffered from injuries in the past two seasons, but fortunately he will finally return with full health in the new season.

If Vanderbilt can appropriately improve his three-point shooting performance while continuing his former defensive influence and increase his open three-point shooting percentage to about 35%, then he will become one of the biggest X-factors for the Lakers.

X factor one: Ayton

There is no doubt that Ayton will be the biggest X factor for the Lakers in the new season, on the one hand, because Ayton is the most capable among the players, has a high ceiling of imagination, and can just fill the Lakers' weak inside line.

On the other hand, because of Ayton's huge instability, from the Suns to the Trail Blazers to joining the Lakers, his weak style of play and clean-blooded defensive habits are the biggest labels on Ayton.

If he cannot change this, it will be difficult for Ayton to gain a foothold in the Lakers, but if Ayton wakes up and realizes that the new season will be his last chance to prove himself, and show his enthusiasm when he plays for the national team in the international arena. According to Ayton's talent and ability, he even has the hope of replacing Reeves as the Lakers' real third giant.