Overpaid and Overhyped: The Most Overrated and Expensive Players Draining the Lakers’ Payroll…see more…
As the Los Angeles Lakers reflect on another tumultuous NBA season that failed to meet championship expectations, fans and analysts alike are directing their attention not just to coaching decisions or injuries—but to the bloated contracts and underperforming stars that continue to weigh the franchise down.
While the Lakers remain one of the most iconic teams in basketball, their recent roster construction has raised serious concerns. A combination of hefty salaries and lackluster production has left the front office with limited flexibility and fans with mounting frustration. The team, once synonymous with dominance and playoff success, is now being forced to reckon with financial missteps and a few too many players whose reputations exceed their impact on the court.
Here are the most overrated and overpaid players currently on the Lakers’ payroll in 2025.
Anthony Davis: Still a Star, But Worth the Price?
On paper, Anthony Davis remains a premier big man in the league. Defensively elite and capable of dominating the paint, he has shown flashes of his old brilliance. However, those flashes have become increasingly sporadic. At 32, Davis has continued to struggle with durability—missing crucial stretches of the season due to various injuries.
In the 2024–25 season, Davis played in just 58 games, averaging 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. Solid numbers, no doubt, but not enough to justify the $43.2 million the Lakers paid him this season, especially considering his inability to consistently be available during key games. His 5-year, $189 million extension has turned into a financial handcuff, making it difficult for the Lakers to build around their core.
While Davis is by no means a “bust,” the gap between his pay and his consistent availability is too large to ignore. It’s not about talent—it’s about return on investment.
D’Angelo Russell: Empty Stats, Empty Impact
D’Angelo Russell’s return to the Lakers was met with some optimism. A former All-Star and smooth-scoring guard, Russell was expected to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis with his playmaking and perimeter shooting. Unfortunately, his second stint with the team has been a mixed bag at best.
This past season, Russell posted respectable averages: 16.8 points and 6.2 assists per game. But his defensive shortcomings and inability to show up in critical playoff moments have made him a lightning rod for criticism.
More concerning is his $18.7 million player option, which he exercised heading into the 2025 season. For a team in dire need of consistent two-way guards, Russell’s lack of defensive presence and tendency to disappear in high-stakes moments has rendered him overrated and overcompensated. His stats often feel like “empty calories”—good on paper, less meaningful in real impact.
Rui Hachimura: Potential Yet to Materialize
When the Lakers traded for Rui Hachimura in 2023, the move was heralded as a savvy addition of youth and athleticism. And while Hachimura has had some notable moments in purple and gold, they’ve been too few and far between to justify his 3-year, $51 million contract.
In 2024–25, he averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 22 minutes per game—a modest output for a player earning over $17 million annually. Hachimura has yet to develop into the consistent third or even fourth scoring option that the Lakers hoped he would become. His lack of defensive versatility and inability to stretch the floor consistently have relegated him to a role player, albeit one being paid like a borderline star.
At 27, time may still be on Hachimura’s side, but patience is running thin in Lakerland, where expectations are perennially sky-high.
Gabe Vincent: A Risk That Didn’t Pay Off
One of the more baffling contracts on the Lakers’ books belongs to Gabe Vincent. Signed in the 2023 offseason following a strong playoff run with the Miami Heat, Vincent was expected to provide toughness, three-point shooting, and leadership off the bench.
Instead, injuries and inconsistent play have defined his Lakers tenure. In 2024–25, Vincent appeared in only 29 games, averaging just 6.1 points on 38% shooting. His $11 million salary is now seen as a burden for a player whose impact has been negligible. With two years still left on his deal, the Lakers are likely exploring trade options or considering stretching his contract—a testament to how quickly things can sour when a role player is overpaid.
The LeBron Factor: Worth the Hype, but at What Cost?
No conversation about the Lakers’ salary cap can ignore LeBron James, even if he’s earned every penny of his contract. At age 40, James continues to defy time with averages of 23.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Still, his presence comes with both tangible and intangible costs.
LeBron’s $50 million salary—the highest in the league—is a staggering figure for a player in the twilight of his career. While his production remains elite, it limits the Lakers’ ability to pursue younger stars or fill out the roster with quality role players. Moreover, the team continues to cater to LeBron’s preferences, sometimes to its detriment, such as holding on to players he favors or passing up on long-term planning to prioritize the present.
Though he remains the face of the franchise, the financial and structural strain his presence creates is part of the larger equation in why the Lakers can’t seem to break through.
Conclusion: Star Power Can’t Mask Financial Failures
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team built on superstardom, but that very identity may be what’s holding them back. Overpaid veterans, overrated role players, and questionable contracts have left the team with little flexibility and even less depth.
If the Lakers are to reclaim their position atop the NBA, a recalibration of their roster strategy is imperative. That means making tough decisions—cutting ties with underperformers, resisting the temptation to overpay based on past glory, and investing in players who can offer both consistency and upside.
Star power draws headlines, but championships are built on efficiency, chemistry, and smart cap management—qualities the Lakers have sorely lacked in recent years.
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