With the offseason well underway, LSU men’s basketball has a roster that looks a lot different from a year ago.

There’s certainly more continuity than in head coach Matt McMahon’s first two years, but in today’s college basketball landscape, a team’s roster is bound to transform every offseason between the transfer portal and early entries to the NBA Draft.

READ MORE: LSU men’s basketball brings in UT Martin guard Jordan Sears from transfer portal

LSU lost four players to graduation, two to the transfer portal and one to the NBA draft. However, the Tigers are bringing in three freshmen and have added two transfer players so far.

LSU is close to completing its roster for the upcoming season, but there are still some distinct needs.

Here’s a look at where everything stands so far:

Guards

Additions: Curtis Givens III (freshman), Jordan Sears (transfer), Cam Carter (freshman)

Returners: Mike Williams III, Trace Young

The guard position was hit particularly hard this offseason, with steady point guard Trae Hannibal, one of the most critical members of the team, graduating.

Along with that, both Jalen Cook and Carlos Stewart are leaving the program. Though neither played much for the team between injuries, eligibility concerns and vague suspensions, the loss of both left a void of shot-making at guard for the upcoming season.

LSU responded in the transfer portal by bringing in two productive guards. Sears was the No. 9 scorer in the country this season with 21.6 points per game. If that game translates from the Ohio Valley Conference to the SEC, Sears can easily be the engine of LSU’s offense.

Carter, a transfer from Kansas State, averaged 14.6 points per game last season, mostly as an off-ball option. After starting all of his 70 games with the Wildcats over the last two seasons, he’ll most likely be a staple in LSU’s starting lineup.

Both of the transfers will be meaningful additions to LSU’s offense, with Sears perhaps leading the charge and Carter being a valuable off-ball slasher and shooter.

Defensively, neither are liabilities, but they’re also not stalwart defenders. They don’t possess outstanding size (Sears will likely be the shortest player on the court in any given game).

Williams can cover some of that deficiency with his relentless defensive motor. Overall, though, Sears and Carter will need to make steps forward if this is going to be a strong defensive back court, especially with the quality of guard play in the SEC.

Though this is a position that could see some lineup shuffling as the season progresses (especially if Givens’ team-oriented game earns him playing time), there probably won’t be any more offseason additions at guard.

READ MORE: Meet the freshmen who make up LSU men’s basketball’s No. 13-ranked recruiting class

Wings

Additions: Vyctorius Miller (freshman)

Returners: Tyrell Ward, Adam Benhayoune

With Jordan Wright graduating and Mwani Wilkinson entering the transfer portal, LSU is light on wings.

As such, Ward will be inheriting a mammoth-sized role on this team in his third year. He’ll likely be the first or second option offensively, and his growing game and lethal 3-point shot says that’s more than deserved.

Miller is another elite 3-point shooter whose skill could immediately translate and earn him time during the season, but the drawback is the same for both him and Ward: defense.

Ward isn’t a poor defender, but he has the potential to be better than he was last year because of his exceedingly long wingspan. With more defensive responsibilities this year, he needs to make the jump into a bona fide stopper.

Still, LSU needs to add more defense to the wing rotation. Another defensive presence coming off the bench feels like a must at this point for the Tigers.

Forwards/Centers

Additions: Robert Miller III (freshman)

Returners: Jalen Reed, Derek Fountain, Daimion Collins, Corey Chest

The big man rotation seems like the biggest question mark for LSU this offseason. The Tigers have plenty of options, but there’s one problem: none of them have collegiate experience at center.

Will Baker and Hunter Dean, both now graduated, were the only two players to see time at center last season. LSU has yet to fill the hole at that important position that was left by their departures.

LSU’s bigs are an extremely athletic group, but unfortunately a very slight group in terms of their frame. It’s unlikely that Fountain, Collins or Chest could anchor the team’s rebounding or defend opposing post-ups at a high level.

All of them certainly have the ability to be productive in their roles as athletic defenders and powerful finishers at the rim, but playing center may be out of their range.

As the tallest and strongest, Reed has the size most appropriate for the position, but he was always a power forward last year, paired with either Dean or Baker. He’s also struggled at times with physicality.

Miller also has the right frame, but it would be asking a lot for him to hold down the position as a freshman. His game in high school has been perimeter-oriented, so thrusting him into the physical SEC as a starting center may be unwise.

Another big man with the strength to be a rim protector and high-level rebounder is a big need for LSU in the transfer portal. If the Tigers don’t add there, their rebounding and paint defense may suffer.