With LeBron James out with a sciatica injury the first month, the Lakers would be smart to kickoff the season with a starting lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton.
That lineup would be exceptionally tall and long as Luka is 6′ 7″ with 7′ 1″ wingspan, Austin 6′ 5″ with 6′ 6″ wingspan, Jarred 6′ 8″ with 7′ 1″ wingspan, Rui 6′ 8″ with 7′ 2″ wingspan, and Deandre 7′ 0′ with 7′ 6″ wingspan. Considering multiple contending teams in the West like the Thunder, Rockets, and Mavericks may be starting double big lineups, the Lakers need to super-size their starting lineup so as not to lose positional size.
Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, and Ayton should turn the Lakers’ starting lineup into an offensive juggernaut that can compensate for Vanderbilt’s lack of impact on offense in order to unleash his ferocity on defense.
With Jarred and Deandre providing defensive upgrades over LeBron and Jaxson and better effort and teamwork from Luka, Austin, and Rui, the Lakers’ starting lineup should be dramatically better on defense this year..
Until a trade is made, the only alternatives to starting Vanderbilt are Smart and LaRavia. Smart would fill a similar role as Vanderbilt defensively but would not be the offensive liability the latter can be against matchups.
The Lakers probably need to see more of LaRavia before seriously considering starting him. While he has upside, right now he lacks Vando’s defensive talent and mojo and Smart’s starting experience and heart.
The Lakers should begin the season with a starting lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton to possess the height and length to matchup against the West’s bigger teams.
I like this lineup, maybe lacking quickness but could make up for it with length if they talk on D. The main issue I’m worried about is the severe drop off after the 7th/8th player off the bench. Our bench doesn’t have much to offer 9/10-14. It could be a real issue and Knecht just looks like a dude who came in off the street who somehow got a jersey and a role. Scoring wise, after Vincent, it gets