The Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup is mostly locked in. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler are guarantees. Quentin Grimes is widely expected to start on the wing. The fifth and final spot -- reserved for a forward -- is still up in the air.
The candidates for the role include Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle, Jarred Vanderbilt, Ziaire Williams, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Or maybe it's a narrower list than that, seeing as Lakers head coach JJ Redick came out recently and said that the two spots beyond Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler won't be white guys.
Was Redick kidding? Probably not, but since nothing's been announced, we can still imagine Redick changing his mind. On that note, I'd like to see the Lakers give the starting nod to Mamukelashvili. Here's why.
The Lakers should start Sandro Mamukelashvili
Mamu is coming off the best season of his career and is right in the heart of his athletic prime. The Lakers acquired him at the perfect time, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Mamu reach an entirely new level in 2026-27 while playing alongside Luka.
But this isn't just a case of the Lakers needing to give a big role to a player at his absolute peak. There are also tactical reasons for Mamu's starting role. Alongside Kessler in the frontcourt, he gives the Lakers a two-big lineup that keeps the lane unclogged. Is it cheating to call this a double-big lineup? Mamu isn't a center by any means, but he has the size, strength, and toughness to rebound effectively ... certainly more so than the guys he's competing against for a starting job.
Mamu on the floor with Kessler gives the Lakers a unique combination of size and three-point gravity on the perimeter (and subsequent floor spacing) that should maximize Luka. If Grimes is going to start, that's good and fine, but we know that his 3-point jumper runs hot and cold. This is all the more reason to have a trusted sniper in Mamu out there in the starting five, to ensure that the spacing isn't compromised when Grimes cools off.
But what about defense?!
Mamu isn't a good perimeter defender, nor is he a rim protector. Having him in the same starting lineup as Doncic and Reaves could set the Lakers up to get exposed defensively. This is why Redick is surely considering Thybulle or Williams.
On the other hand, I think it's more important for the Lakers to establish offensive rhythm and get organized on that end during the first quarter of regular-season games. Ultimately, this is a team that's going to win games with its elite offense. Its defense will just have to stay afloat. By starting Mamu, you're leaning into your strengths from the opening tip and putting immense pressure on the opposing defense. Then, as the game develops, you can begin to read the situation and put more defense-minded lineups out there when needed.
If you were going to ask me to write an article about why Mamu should finish games (rather than start them), I'd have a much more difficult time outlining an argument, for the above reasons.
Defense wins in the postseason, but offense can win you plenty of games in the regular season. The Lakers will need to work on their defense all season and hope they incrementally improve enough by the playoffs. Their offense will be absolutely awesome from the get-go, and that'll make them an immediate threat on Opening Night. Mamu in the starting five makes sense in that recipe.
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