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Ranking 4 possible starting lineups for the Lakers this season

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Caris LeVert #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Caris LeVert #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the first half of the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers play-in
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

1. The best possible starting five for the Lakers

  • PG: Kyrie Irving
  • SG: Josh Richardson
  • SF: Joe Harris
  • PF: LeBron James
  • C: Anthony Davis

As far as I am concerned, this is the best starting five that the Los Angeles Lakers can build for the 2022-23 season that stays in the realm of possibility. Of course, a Kyrie Irving trade would have to happen first but if it does, all of these other things are possible.

Being a taxpaying team, the Brooklyn Nets are not going to want to take on more money in a Kyrie deal so they may end up lumping Joe Harris and his two years remaining into the package to save money. It would have big implications for the Lakers on the luxury tax but would be worth it as Harris is arguably the best off-ball three-point shooter in the NBA.

Josh Richardson is someone who could essentially offer exactly what Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did on the 2020 team. Richardson should be available as he is on an expiring contract on a tanking San Antonio Spurs team. Talen Horton-Tucker and a future second would more than be enough.

Davis would play the five in this starting five and that might be a tad unrealistic as that is something he has not wanted to do. Darvin Ham may end up starting Thomas Bryant instead with Richardson being the team’s sixth man but this would still be the team’s best five that they close with.

This team has star power with the addition of Kyrie Irving, it has shooting with the additions of Richardson and Harris and it could be okay defensively if Richardson can be the perimeter defender the Lakers need him to be with Davis anchoring down the frontcourt.

50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark. Next

This is a starting five that is built to win the NBA Championship, assuming it can stay healthy.

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