Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided a big update on the starting lineup for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night.
The Lakers will use Friday’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings as a dress rehearsal with their fully healthy rotation, per Redick.
The Lakers starting lineup will consist of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton followed by a combination of Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart. Ayton, LaRavia and Smart are all new additions to the team and provide the height the Lakers had been missing last year after losing Anthony Davis.
Jarred Vanderbilt is also an option; however, it’s unclear the severity of his injury and how that will impact his availability for the start of the season.
Vanderbilt sustained a left quad contusion in the second quarter of the Lakers’ preseason matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. The Lakers fell 121-94 to the Mavericks, and while it is only preseason, it was evident that the team lacked scoring power from its depth players.
The Lakers were outscored 37-8 in the fourth quarter, and Redick spoke about the abysmal frame following the preseason loss.
“A level of toughness, but that wasn’t there tonight,” he said. “It’s a lot to ask that group that was out there for most of the fourth to generate good shots; that’s just the reality of who those guys are right now. But that’s not an excuse for a lack of toughness.”
The absence of LeBron James has opened up the opportunity for other players to step up, but it also puts immense pressure on the Lakers to succeed without the 40-year-old. James will reportedly be “closely monitoring” the situation in Hollywood as he is set to take his time in his recovery from sciatica.
If the Lakers fail to stay afloat in a competitive Western Conference, it could signify the departure of James. The superstar hopes to win one more title before he hangs up his jersey, and if he can’t do that in LA, he may request a trade.
The 2025-26 season is Doncic’s first full year with the Lakers, and marks a turning point within the storied organization. With the 26-year-old at the helm, the Lakers will begin a new era.
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