This Los Angeles Lakers offseason has been all about Luka Doncic. With the fifth starter still up in the air as September starts, there should be no reason to pivot away from that mindset if you are the Lakers. That final spot should be all about how to best support the Slovenian superstar.
The Lakers have a lot of roles filled well around Doncic in the starting lineup. Secondary creator? Hey Austin Reaves! Lob threat and defensive anchor? Walker Kessler answers the call. 3-and-D specialist? Quentin Grimes should get the chance to step up and deliver.
So, what is left? How can that final starter be best-equipped to help Doncic thrive in 2026-27? At this point, an energetic and disruptive wing stopper sticks out as the most pressing need in that starting unit.
The reason for that should be wanting to keep Doncic away from having to guard any top options on the wings. Grimes can already do that for the smaller perimeter threats in the backcourt. Getting another guy in there who can challenge the larger players would ensure Luka's primary responsibilities are elsewhere.
A wing stopper is the last missing piece of the Lakers' starting lineup
Offense should not be an issue for Doncic and the other four players starting contests with him. Luka is the best player in the world on that end. That alone should make things easy for everyone around him when trying to put up points.
If the Lakers want Doncic at his absolute best on a nightly basis when it comes to being that offensive maestro that all other 29 teams fear, they must preserve him on the other end. There should be no big-time ask of him regarding the defensive responsibilities.
It is not even that Doncic is incapable on that end, despite what some others may want to tell you. This is about helping Luka lean on what he does best, and that would be creating nightmares for opposing defenses.
Whether it is Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle or otherwise, Doncic needs to know that fifth starter has his back covered. Let Luka play the helper role on defense and take the lesser of the forward options that opposing teams will feature.
Doing that positions the Lakers for their best shot at success in 2026-27. This offseason has been about retooling around Doncic. If the upcoming season calls for getting as much Luka Magic as possible, the fifth starter needs to help preserve that for the offensive end.
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