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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who could force their way into starting five

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers have nearly a completely new roster from last season. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol and Talen Horton-Tucker are the only players from last season’s team (unless the team ends up re-signing Wesley Matthews).

The team had to go out and sign eight players in free agency after the Russell Westbrook trade. One of them was a familiar face, THT, and the rest were brand-new players on minimum deals or the Taxpayer’s Mid-Level Exception.

The 2021-22 Lakers are much different than the 2020-21 Lakers and the rotations are obviously going to be much different as well. Not only are the role players going to be different, but Davis and LeBron will likely play less to stay fresh. That is why Russell Westbrook is in town.

As it stands right now, the starting five for the Lakers will probably be something like:

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Wayne Ellington
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Dwight Howard

This seems like the likely starting five as Howard gives the team a traditional center to start with and Matthews gives the team a shooter to put in the backcourt. It definitely will not be the most frequent lineup and likely won’t be the closing lineup as well.

The Los Angeles Lakers lineup is likely going to change a lot over the course of the season.

There are so many moving parts on the Lakers and Frank Vogel will absolutely tweak things as the season goes along to maximize the results. It would be shocking if the Lakers run out the same starting five all season long.

It is more likely that players on the bench step up and force their way into the starting five. Here are the three players that are most likely to start on the bench and force themselves into the starting lineup.

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