The Los Angeles Lakers will be a bit thin at point guard on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings, as Rajon Rondo will be sitting out.
After two straight preseason losses to the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers will be back in action on Thursday playing the Sacramento Kings.
Even though they didn’t win on Tuesday night against the Nuggets, it was a much better performance for the Lakers. One of the players that has done well so far in the preseason for the Lakers has been Rajon Rondo.
Rondo was signed this offseason in order to provide the Lakers with another point guard that can help give them some valuable minutes at the position. Outside of Lonzo Ball last season, the play from the point guards on the Lakers wasn’t ideal, and getting another good player at the position was clearly a priority this offseason.
However, with Rondo being a veteran, the Lakers will be sitting him out in the third preseason game against the Sacramento Kings.
Luke Walton says Brandon Ingram will start at point guard and Lance Stephenson will be the backup. Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo are both being held out for rest.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 4, 2018
Starting in place of Rondo at point guard will be Brandon Ingram. Seeing Ingram starting at point guard isn’t a new thing for the Lakers, as he did spend some time at the position last season. Ingram’s ability to start at point guard really shows his talent and value to the team, as having a player with his height at guard is a rarity.
With Rondo out of the lineup tonight, Kyle Kuzma will be getting the start at small forward. In addition to that, Josh Hart will be making his second straight start at shooting guard. Like the last two games, LeBron James and JaVale McGee will round out the frontcourt for the Lakers, as this is a very tall starting five.
While Ingram starting at point guard won’t be something during the regular season, the second straight start for Hart over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is noteworthy. With a good game against the Kings, Hart might be starting to solidify himself as the starting shooting guard.