The Los Angeles Lakers kick-start their 2025/2026 NBA season with a clash against the Golden State Warriors at the Crypto.com Arena. The franchise were rocked by the news that LeBron James will miss their opening game - and subsequent first few matches - due to sciatica, so all eyes will be on JJ Redick and how the team's young head coach will navigate the start of the campaign without one of basketball's greatest ever players.
The Lakers enjoyed an impressive regular season last year, finishing third in a highly competitive Western Conference, but failed at the first hurdle in very disappointing fashion to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The purple and gold franchise fell down to Anthony Edwards and co in a 4-1 first-round defeat, making it back-to-back years that they did not reach at least the semi-finals.
So, as opening day approaches, below is a look at the starting line-up Redick might go with to face the Warriors as they look to start the new season in the best way possible with a win.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic pointing
With LeBron out, this feels like the perfect opportunity for Luka Doncic to step into the breach and showcase what he can bring to the table as the undisputed number one option for the Lakers. And in turn for the franchise itself, they have the opportunity to have a real first look at what life will look like post-James' retirement. If Doncic can bring the kind of individual mastery that he displayed at the Dallas Mavericks, then the Lakers will be in good hands. And, it's fair to say the Slovenian isn't deterred by the prospect of being without James for the foreseeable future at least.
It’s a big change. He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be ‘next man up.’ We got a group of guys that have been practicing and hopefully LeBron can join us as soon as possible. We are going to obviously need him. But our mentality has got to be ‘next man up.’ That’s it.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James' absence only ramps up the pressure on Austin Reaves to hit the ground running, especially from a scoring perspective. The Lakers have seen first-hand just what the shooting guard can bring to the table when he gets into a rhythm, but with James out and the onus and pressure all on Doncic's shoulders, Reaves really needs to carry some of the load with him.
Averaging over 20 points per game, Reaves poured in a career-high 45 points against the Indiana Pacers to showcase his scoring chops, and his improved ball-handling will be key in line-ups where he features with the bench.
Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura Los Angeles Lakers
Given the ball-dominance of both LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura's role with the Lakers since the latter's blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks has changed significantly. A well-rounded forward who can compete on both ends of the floor, Hachimura's much-improved three-point shooting over the course of the 2024/2025 season saw him develop into a fine starting-calibre player under Redick's coaching.
While he might get the nod to start on opening night against the Warriors, Hachimura's long-term future with the Lakers is unquestionably up in the air. If the Lakers choose to swing big before the trade deadline or lean further into a post-James rebuild, the Japanese star's time at the Crypto.com Arena might be over sooner rather than later.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Los Angeles Lakers Jarred Vanderbilt
A defensive specialist, Jarred Vanderbilt you feel will be an extremely important piece for a Lakers side lacking in defence - particularly if and when they do run with a small-ball three-man unit of Doncic, LeBron and Reaves. If he can stay clear of injury, then Redick will have someone on his hands who he can put on the opposition's best player when necessary. Capable of guarding multiple positions, Vanderbilt's size, strength and active hands make him a menace, but the real swing on his upside will be on his shooting skills.
Last season saw him average just over four points per game in the regular season, while his inability to hit the three-pointer or even be a real threat made him virtually non-existent on the offensive end. Shooting under 30% from the three-point line, teams have been more than willing to sag off Vanderbilt on the perimeter, clogging up the lane even more for whenever LeBron or Luka want to drive into the paint. If Vanderbilt can offer something more in the half-court, then the Lakers will have a lot more going for them offensively.
DeAndre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
A former first overall pick, it's fair to say DeAndre Ayton's career has tailed downwards ever since his best days at the Phoenix Suns. Ayton was a formidable presence in the middle in the Suns' run to the finals - albeit losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks - but has struggled to match anywhere near those heights since. His two-year spell with the Portland Trail Blazers were marred by reports of a bad attitude and discipline, so it remains to be seen whether Redick and the rest of the Lakers coaching staff and front office can guide the talented center in the right way.
If they can somehow manage that, then the Lakers will have found a very complementary piece to Luka Doncic, who has thrived with centers who can excel in the pick-and-roll and finish lobs at the rim. He started 40 games with the Trail Blazers last season, averaging just under 15 points and over 10 rebounds per game. If Ayton can snag some more boards with the Lakers and be a deterrent at the rim, then Redick will be pleased with the team's summer signing.