Predicting Lakers' Breakout Players for 2022-23 NBA Season

If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to turn the 2022-23 NBA season into...well, something more fruitful than their 2021-22 campaign, they'll need some of their young players to ascend to new heights.

Luckily, their offseason investment in youth—a stark change from their 2021 summer strategy—has them positioned to see exactly those type of breakthroughs.

L.A. has multiple players on breakout watch entering this season, and the following three players should be atop that list.

Thomas Bryant

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Back for his second tour of duty with the Purple and Gold, Bryant looks like a snug on-paper fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

That's assuming, of course, that Bryant manages to stay healthy, which has been a tricky hurdle to clear for much of his five-year career. If his body cooperates, though, his combination of size and skill could let him seize control of the Lakers' center spot.

He has enough size to man the middle and a sharp enough outside shot (career 35 percent) to keep the attack lanes open for L.A.'s stars. When that's not enough, his elite motor and high activity level can keep him a step ahead.

Given his place in Hollywood's hierarchy, he may not break out in the traditional sense of besting his career marks (14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds). As far as exceeding expectations, though, he has a puncher's chance at being the team leader in that department.

Austin Reaves

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-115. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Reaves already silenced his skeptics once, as he repeatedly raised and sailed over the bar during an eye-opening rookie season.

If you still aren't totally sold on the 6'5" swingman, though, then let LeBron take care of the sales pitch.

"Austin can fit in any group," James told reporters. "A guy who plays extremely hard, plays well, doesn't make mistakes, always in the right place at the right time. ... His IQ is very high. He fits in any group, and it's always good to be on the floor with him. I love AR."

Adaptability is key for role players on star-studded squads, and Reaves' willingness to wear a number of different hats could allow him to handle a much bigger role than expected for the second consecutive season. If his shooting perks up—he shot 31.7 percent from three last season, but also an encouraging 83.9 percent from the stripe—he could be the type of player Lakers coach Darvin Ham struggles to take off of the floor.

Lonnie Walker IV

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 9: Head Coach Darvin Ham speaks with Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 9, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

If you tracked Malik Monk's rise to relevance in his one-and-done season with the Lakers, then you should understand why Walker makes the list.

Like Monk, Walker is a former first-round pick with impressive physical tools and flashes of high-level ability but enough inconsistency that the team that initially drafted him (in this case, the San Antonio Spurs) didn't keep him past his rookie contract.

While the light bulb isn't guaranteed to click for Walker, things could get interesting for the Lakers if it does.

He pairs a fiery three-point stroke with enough bounce to send defenders viral for all of the wrong reasons, and his handles can free him at any time. Consistency and efficiency have been his biggest hurdles to date, but that's where sharing the court and the locker room with established stars like James and Davis could make a world of difference for Walker.