Which Lapras to power up
Held off until I had at least 182 candy so I can power up to max level if worth it. I have % hatched 4 lapras all level 20 ST-ATT-DEF
87% FB/HP 11-13-15
84% FB/IcB 14-14-10
84% FB/BLZ 11-15-12
78% WG/HP 11-12-12
dust not a problem have 2m+
Answers
I would wait till after gym rework...
I read somewhere (SR probably) that they mined phrases like your pokemon successfully defended the gym or what not...which may translate to "your" particular defender actually knocked out an attacker...which may then translate to getting bonuses or other things needed to get coins/dust, whatever...
If that's the case, things like quick hitting charge moves like Stone Edge, Hydropump, etc...may be worth "more" to powerup as defenders...
If you're at a gym and the attacker always beats you without missing a beat, maybe you get "0" pokecoins that day...
AGAIN, all this is a wild guess so best bet is...
...Wait for the gym rework...everything will be answered when everyone can test/play it after....