Breaking down the Lakers‘ potential lineup decisions for the 2023/24 season, Jovan Buha of The Athletic forecasts a 10-man rotation, led by stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
At this point, Buha favors incumbent Lakers D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura – all of whom signed lucrative new contracts this offseason – to fill out the starting lineup. He predicts the 10-man rotation will be filled out by Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Christie, and newcomers Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, and Jaxson Hayes.
As Buha notes, the Lakers will want to avoid overworking James and Davis to ensure that they’re healthy for the playoffs, so players outside his projected 10-man rotation, including free agent addition Cam Reddish and rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, could get a chance to earn some minutes too.
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- Although Buha has Russell penciled in as the starting point guard, he acknowledges that could change, observing that Vincent’s 3-and-D skill set is a better fit next to the Lakers’ stars. It’s a “coin flip” as to who will end up as the go-to point guard, Buha writes, suggesting that both players will have important roles.
- Christie is the most difficult Laker to project for the 2023/24 season, says Buha. If he breaks out like he believes he can, he should have no problem securing a spot as the eighth or ninth man in the rotation. If not, he may end up battling Reddish for minutes as the 10th man.
- According to Buha, the Lakers hope that Hayes will be able to start alongside Davis in scenarios when the team opts to roll with a two-big lineup. However, Buha doesn’t foresee a major regular role for Hayes, noting that there are only so many frontcourt minutes to go around as long as James, Davis, Hachimura, and Vanderbilt are healthy. If the Lakers were to sign another free agent center such as Christian Wood or Bismack Biyombo, Hayes’ spot in the regular rotation would be even less certain, though injuries and/or load management could ultimately open the door for him to play frequently.
- In the latest Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon discuss the fact that Davis will become extension-eligible later this week and consider the odds of he and the Lakers working out a deal before the season begins. Windhorst doesn’t necessarily expect the two sides to reach a deal immediately, but believes there’s mutual interest in working something out. “There’s no time crunch. He doesn’t have to make a decision by August 5 or anything,” Windhorst said. “But I do think there is an expectation that the Lakers do make some sort of offer this week, or at least show their intention to make such an offer.”
I’d start Vincent over Russell, LeBron is the PG anyway and Vincent. Vincent’s a better defender and Russel is a perfect 6th man.
I will start Gabe Vincent over D’Angelo Russell as well because he’s a better defender and D’Angelo Russell is a perfect 6th man. But I honestly think they might start D’Angelo Russell to keep his stock up heading into the trading deadline. LeBron James has been a Point Forward/Point Guard his whole career. Then Austin Reaves will handle a lot of the Point Guard duties.
I see Russell as a guard version of Javale McGee. Start each half with some easy buckets and after that it’s all gravy.
Think vando starts if he can get some progress on his corner 3 , handy already has him w a new stoke bringing the ball over the head instead of off to the side
Rui closes , Ad only plays a mere 75% at C instead of the 99% he logged last year – * they will experiment w a Hayes ad lineup but it falters and they scrap it quickly
Christie a big wild card but I think not resigning Beasley means they are very confident in him , he looked like a top 5 player in sumner league but that means little come Oct
Don’t see the hype with Vincent at all.
Struggles from the field (sub 40% on his career FG%), isn’t a great outside shooter (33% on his career), doesn’t offer much playmaking (2 or 3 assists per game) all he does is play some defence and works hard.
This label 3 and D is often given to guys that don’t deserve it such as Gabe Vincent. In order to be 3 and D I want you to be above average from 3 hitting like 36% or better ….
Dlo does suit the sixth man role but he also suits being the third scoring option beside AD and Bron because he can handle the rock, be a playmaker for others, shoot from outside and give you about 15-20 or so a night. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Austin Reaves step up and take that third scoring option and have a massive season in which case then you maybe drop Russell to the bench but you can’t count on that just yet. Even in that circumstance I wouldn’t mind seeing Bron go back to point and have Prince run with the starters, he is a 3 and D guy and suits that 4th or 5th option.
I agree with your Gabe Vincent concerns. More stunning though is the fact that he may be the best scorer that the Lakers have off the bench. You are not going to get consistent offensive production from Vanderbilt, Prince and Hayes. A lot of red flags with the Lakers are being overlooked because they went to the Finals. LeBron and AD will miss games. They are a mess without these two.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a really nice roster but I think Max Christie will be the 11th man and Cam Reddish will be the 10th man.
No chance at that. Max Christie has developed nicely. He can play the 1 or the 2, and he makes open shots. Cam Reddish is still living off of his high school reputation. He has done little in the NBA despite having multiple chances.
I can’t believe someone wasted their time to write an article on if Dlo should be starting…
The answer for years has been no…
Surprisingly, I see a regresión on the roster.
DLo should be a luxury 6th man. Gabe Vincent, for all .thr very good playoffs he has had, and I don’t denial that he is a hard worker, I don’t see him.as a Top 7 rotation player for a championship-caliber Lakers team. He has a better fit in the Miami system.
They will be missing Schroder, and more veterans. They need a bulky, rough 5 to defend fives and ese the tax on AD. I like tgevHayes signing, very good one, excelente rim.protector, they need a more physical (maybe Biyombo, Cauley-,Stein, to do the McGee – Howard role).
They need more priven.bench.
Prince is a good addition, but may contribute more in the locker room, than on court
Lonnie Walker was a proven NBA player, that appeared un key Moments.
Even if Max Christie can contribute, which he still has to prove, I don’t see Smart to rely on him yo full that important role. That also comes with experienced, especially in the playoffs.
They should trade for Caruso.
They need a pass first PG (TJ mcconnell, tus Jones) also
My cell phone is in spanish, and My screen is broken, it’s a little bit tough to read sometimes, but I hope the Point is shown.
Salutes!