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Los Angeles Lakers roster: Predicting the opening night rotation

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason basketball game against Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 12, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason basketball game against Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 12, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The other two starters on Los Angeles Lakers opening night:

We do not yet have an indication of who is going to start for the Los Angeles Lakers tonight but we certainly have an idea. Broderick Turner of the LA Times theorizes that it is going to be Kent Bazemore and DeAndre Jordan, which makes sense considering Bazemore’s defense and Jordan as a traditional center.

Jordan likely won’t play crunch time as that will go to Anthony Davis, but it makes sense to not start Davis at the five and let him slowly transition into that role.

So how much is each player going to play?

Kent Bazemore minutes prediction: 30

This is more minutes than Bazemore is going to average throughout the season but the team needs to rely on his presence in this one. Bazemore’s defensive presence became much more important with both Talen Horton-Tucker and Trevor Ariza out. Wayne Ellington being ruled out also adds to his workload.

Bazemore is likely going to get some minutes with Malik Monk on the floor as well as Bazemore will play some three while LeBron is on the bench.

DeAndre Jordan minutes prediction: 18

DeAndre Jordan did not look great in the preseason and while he will get the start he is going to get reserve-level minutes. Not only is he splitting time with Dwight Howard but he is also splitting time with Davis playing the five as well.

Anything more than 18 minutes is too much for Jordan, who quite frankly, probably shouldn’t even be starting anyway (it should be Howard).

That leaves us with 97 minutes to allocate to the rest of the bench.

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