The Los Angeles Lakers have made some huge moves this offseason, revamping their roster with big-name acquisitions. With wing Jake LaRavia, center DeAndre Ayton, and guard Marcus Smart joining the squad, the Lakers are loaded. And according to Lakers Daily, Coach JJ Redick has already settled on his starting five for the new season: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and DeAndre Ayton.
The only change from last year’s lineup is at center, with Ayton taking over for Jaxson Hayes, who stepped into the starting role after Anthony Davis was traded. The second unit is expected to feature Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt, LaRavia, and Hayes. This lineup promises to be exciting, with a mix of talent, experience, and youth.
But what’s even more intriguing is that the Lakers are expected to stand pat heading into training camp, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. No major trades ahead, with the front office opting to evaluate the team during the season before making any additional moves. This approach suggests that the Lakers believe they have the right mix of players to compete for a championship.
Moving veterans like Maxi Kleber or Vincent would cost valuable draft assets without a clear upgrade in return, so the front office prefers to hold off on any major deals for now. Instead, they’ll focus on getting the most out of their current roster and making adjustments as needed during the season.
With this lineup and approach, the Lakers are poised to make a serious push for the championship. Will they be able to overcome the challenges of the competitive Western Conference and bring home the title? The anticipation is building, and fans can’t wait to see what the new season has in store.
