Updated depth chart: Predicting Lakers rotation after Marc Gasol trade

After signing DeAndre Jordan, trading Marc Gasol to Memphis, the Lakers are adding the finishing touches to their roster. What will the open day roster look like?

It’s funny how history tends to repeat itself. In 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Spain’s Marc Gasol with the No. 48 pick of the draft and about a year later, traded him to Memphis in exchange for his older brother Pau. Thirteen years later, after spending a year in Los Angeles, Gasol was sent back to Memphis, for what may possibly be his last season in the NBA.

Once the Lakers picked up center DeAndre Jordan fresh out of his buyout with Detroit, Gasol’s departure from LA seemed even more imminent. The Lakers frontcourt already featured star big men Anthony Davis, as well as Dwight Howard, on his third stint with the organization.

Adding Jordan, who doesn’t provide anything different than what Howard gives, solidified the fact that while they’re still an awfully old team, they value veteran players who can do some of the same things. In this instance, Gasol’s skillset may not have been what the Lakers wanted.

With Gasol out of the way, what will the Lakers rotation look like now?

‘Tinseltown’ is not only a very fitting name for the city of LA, but also very much so for this Lakers team’s star-studded cast. The main-stays in the starting lineup, of course, are their biggest stars: LeBron James, Davis and the newly-acquired Russ Westbrook.

The remaining two starting spots may be claimed by the sharpshooting Wayne Ellington and perhaps, Trevor Ariza for his 3-and-D capabilities. This, in theory, allows the Lakers to move James and Davis over to the 4 and 5, respectively, something they discussed with Westbrook prior to his arrival.

Their stable of really good role players will allow head coach Frank Vogel to dish out a plethora of lineups on a nightly basis.

Expect to see the young and freshly paid swingmen Talen Horton-Tucker see plenty of minutes on the floor, perhaps in a sixth-man role. Malik Monk should also find minutes as a sharpshooter off the bench. Rajon Rondo will split backup point duties with Kendrick Nunn. Kent Bazemore should also find spot minutes as a backup swingman. Adding to the renowned frontcourt is NBA legend Carmelo Anthony on his quest for his first NBA title.

Lakers Depth Chart:

PG: Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo

SG: Wayne Ellington, Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk

SF: Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore

PF: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony

C: Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan

With two rosters spots remaining, the Lakers may still be on the market for frontcourt or wing depth.