Before training camp even tipped into full gear, Jarred Vanderbilt gave fans a rare peek behind the locker-room curtain: how the Lakers’ leadership is structured. It’s less about who gives the speeches and more about who sets the tone in each facet of the game.
Jarred Vanderbilt breaks down the Lakers’ leadership structure:
Vocal leaders – LeBron & Luka 🗣️
Defensive leaders – Vando & Smart 🔒
Leaders by example – Reaves & Vincent 🫡 pic.twitter.com/1VvmwWSZwm— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 7, 2025
Vocal leaders : LeBron James & Luka Doncic
When Vando mentioned the vocal leaders, it was no surprise — LeBron James and Luka Doncic. But this season, the Lakers’ offense will primarily run through Luka.
The Slovenian star has become the team’s main on-ball orchestrator — controlling tempo, calling sets, and telling teammates where to be on the floor. That makes his voice crucial. He’s the floor general, and his leadership is non-negotiable.
Rob Pelinka saw signs of Luka’s growth as a vocal leader when he visited him during EuroBasket this summer, noting how Doncic commanded Slovenia’s offense and teammates in huddles. That maturity is now front and center in Los Angeles.
LeBron, now entering Year 23, still commands respect and will have stretches as the initiator, but the balance of power has tilted toward Luka as the primary offensive hub. And rightfully so. The oldest player in the league shouldn’t be expected to carry his team this far into his career. But that transition demands constant communication from both stars to keep the offense humming.
Defensive leaders: Marcus Smart & Jarred Vanderbilt
Defense doesn’t run on autopilot. It needs leaders who can call out coverages in real-time. That’s where Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt come in.
Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, brings that fiery energy and is never shy about pointing out a blown rotation. Vando, meanwhile, is probably the most versatile defender on the roster — a true 1-through-5 switch piece.
Their impact depends on their health. Smart opened camp dealing with a lingering injury, but he participated in practice, and JJ Redick said afterward that he looked great. Vanderbilt’s looking spry too — maybe the healthiest he’s been since his injury two seasons ago. If those two stay on the floor, the Lakers’ defensive identity should be rock-solid.
Leaders by example: Austin Reaves & Gabe Vincent
Not every leader has to be loud. Reaves and Vincent set their standard quietly: be prepared, be professional, do the work.
Both are the type of guys younger players naturally watch and mimic. Vincent even organized a team-bonding trip to the dunes during the offseason — a low-key gesture that says a lot about how he connects teammates. For a roster loaded with star power, having pros like them keeps the day-to-day grind balanced.
Why It Matters
Vanderbilt’s breakdown shows this isn’t just LeBron steering the ship anymore. It’s a layered leadership core: stars who speak up, defenders who command the back line, and vets who show how to do things right without saying much.
For the Lakers’ offense to click, Luka’s voice now guides most possessions, with LeBron chiming in when he takes his turn on-ball. Pair that with Smart and Vando setting the tone on defense, plus Reaves and Vincent leading by example, and you get a team whose leadership touches every facet of the game.
If all six stay healthy and in sync, that’s the kind of structure that can survive a long season — and maybe make June in L.A. feel just a little closer.
