The Los Angeles Lakers ranked 29th in the NBA during the 2024-25 regular season when it came to points per game from their bench. What made it worse was they got a front row seat to exactly the type of presence they need off the bench. Buddy Hield lit up the Lakers for 17 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3-point, in the Golden State Warriors' decisive 119-109 win on opening night. Lakers’ depth issues and shooting struggles made painfully clearNot only did Hield provide bench scoring, he provided shooting. While James remains absent, the Lakers depth will only look thinner, missing such a pivotal part of their rotation.