Lakers' Starting Lineup Remains Undecided as Season Opener Looms

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a starting lineup dilemma just over a week before their regular season opener against the Warriors on Oct. 21. Coach JJ Redick acknowledged that two starting positions remain undecided, despite the team having played three preseason games.

Redick initially stated on Sept. 24 that Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler would occupy three of the starting spots. However, the Lakers' preseason schedule has been disrupted by player availability issues, making it difficult to establish a definitive starting unit. Reaves and Kessler missed the preseason opener, and several key players, including Doncic, also sat out the second preseason game.

Quentin Grimes has started all three preseason games and is considered a strong candidate for one of the remaining starting roles. "Feel like Quentin is a really nice complement to Luka and AR," Redick said of Grimes, referencing his prior experience playing with Doncic in Dallas. "In all our team building, it was about finding guys that complement Luka and AR, and we feel like we did that."

This leaves one starting spot open. Ziaire Williams has garnered significant praise behind the scenes for his defensive intensity, length, and shot-making, though he has been hampered by a foot contusion. "Activity, length, shot-making, plays the game the right way," Reaves said of Williams. "He checks all of the right boxes for a guy you want on your team."

Jake LaRavia has also been a consistent performer in the preseason, averaging 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, while improving his three-point shooting. "He’s worked on his shot," Redick commented on LaRavia. "He’s shot the ball really well in practice. In our live play, we tracked all the stats throughout every practice we’ve had so far, he shot it well. He shot it [well in games]. So he’s in a great place offensively. And then you add in all the stuff that he does: The intangible stuff, defensively and 50-50 balls, all that stuff. He’s a really valuable player."

Notably, Adou Thiero started in the most recent game against the Kings when Williams was sidelined. Redick also mentioned that Collin Sexton, who is dealing with a lower right leg injury, is further behind Kessler in his recovery and likely not a contender for an immediate starting role.