Lakers: 2 closing lineups when LeBron James and Anthony Davis return

By Jason Reed | Apr 20, 2021

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyle Kuzma #0,Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

There is light at the end of the tunnel for the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis has been cleared to return to action on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks and LeBron James should be back in action in a few weeks time.

The Lakers have struggled without AD and LeBron and we have not seen the two stars together since February. When healthy, the Lakers are still the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.

The team is different from when we last saw the stars play as well. Andre Drummond adds a completely new dynamic and Ben McLemore is a nice bench shooter that could get hot on any given night. This will change the rotation, and certainly will change the closing lineup.

Kyle Kuzma was recently asked about the closing lineup when the stars return. Kuzma did not give a definitive answer, instead opting for the ‘whoever is hot’ approach.

The Los Angeles Lakers have two realistic routes for the closing lineup.

While the possibilities are technically endless for the Lakers in the final minutes of the game, there are two closing lineups that stand out above the rest as the best options for the team. And I hate to break it to Kyle Kuzma, but he is not included in either of the two closing lineups.

Sorry, Kuz.

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