Lakers: The 3 best lineups without Anthony Davis are legitimately shocking

By Jason Reed | Feb 22, 2022

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard #39 Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James #6 and Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook #0 during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 29, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

The second-best lineup for the Lakers without Anthony Davis:

Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Russell Westbrook

This is clearly the lineup that the Los Angeles Lakers should be playing the most when LeBron James is on the bench. It is the only lineup of the top three that does not feature LeBron James and is better than a lot of lineups that do feature LeBron.

On paper, it may seem strange that this lineup actually works for the Lakers. The best player on the floor is Russell Westbrook and you are pairing him with a traditional center in Dwight Howard. Plus, the three-headed monster of Carmelo, Monk and Ellington provides really poor wing defense.

However, the defense is going to be pretty bad regardless of who the Lakers throw out there, especially without AD. I love the idea of ignoring the defense and playing someone like THT or Johnson in this lineup and instead full committing to putting the team’s three-best shooters on the floor.

This is a lineup that best utilizes Russell Westbrook. It gives him a traditional center to run the pick-and-roll with and surrounds the two with three guys who have no problem standing at the three-point line to receive a drive and kick pass.

This five-man lineup has played 28.5 minutes together across eight games and has a net rating of +19.7.

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