Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the most important players on the roster

9. Trevor Ariza

I debated on this selection for quite a bit but I believe that a wing defender, essentially a 3-and-D player, is probably a tad bit more important than a center. That’s why I have Trevor Ariza checking in as the 9th most important Laker this season.

Even though Ariza looked like a shell of himself on most nights for the Miami Heat last season, he can still give the Lakers some help in spurts. And at this point of his career, there’s really nothing more than you can ask more from him.

Ariza is another wing defender that the Lakers will be able to throw on the floor in a playoff series and one that could effectively hit 3-pointers at the same time. He’s not going to be a savior by any means, but he will help their wing depth.