Lakers' most intriguing Luka Doncic lineup may soon become their most important

What does the perfect lineup around Luka Doncic look like? Ideally, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar would be supported by a co-star at the other guard spot, athletic wings who can shoot and play defense, plus a strong two-way center in the middle. The Lakers can offer that lineup, but it requires two massive variables to become known quantities.

Let us cast the parts. Doncic stars as, well, himself. Austin Reaves is his co-star scoring guard that can seize opportunities off the attention Luka commands. Walker Kessler finally gives the Lakers an ideal two-way big man to satisfy both ends of the court.

The two athletic wings are the big variables in this equation. The Lakers have them, in theory, but they need to see those guys prove themselves as capable at the NBA level. The duo in question here is made up of soon-to-be rookie Cameron Carr and second-year man Adou Thiero.

Carr has nothing of substance in the NBA, having just arrived from Baylor via the draft. Thiero had a 2025-26 rookie season that was filled with challenges and limited opportunities. If the Lakers hit on quickly setting up both for success, they wil reap the rewards as they can quickly become the final pieces of the puzzle around Doncic.

Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero can complete the Lakers' perfect Luka Doncic lineup

In a perfect world, this five-man combination would eventually become the Lakers' starting lineup. 2026-27 may be too early for that dream to become a reality, but it will still be important to watch how the group looks together, plus the strides of development for Carr and Thiero.

Carr's intitial strengths as a first-round prospect come from his shooting and athleticism. It is very easy to envision him playing well off Doncic on the offensive end from the get-go.

To his credit, Carr is putting in the work on defense too. The athletic wing has repeatedly spoken about committing himself to that end of the court so he does not look too much like a rookie when trying to slow down the opposing offenses.

If Carr can rapidly establish himself as a defensive plus, that would morph him into exactly what Doncic needs from that position. Slashing, shooting, and defense — what more could Luka want?

For Thiero, it is all about figuring out how to use his otherworldly athleticism to the Lakers' benefit. That should mean cutting off ball to score off Doncic's passes and developing into a strong defensive stopper. If Adou can become Los Angeles' version of Derrick Jones Jr., they would take it.

A notable part of that would be Thiero being capable of knocking down the open shots that defenses will give him on the deep ball. The Lakers do not need him to shoot above 40 percent, although they would not be opposed to such a result, but a respectable shot from distance is necessary.

If, or when, Los Angeles can get these more advanced versions of Carr and Thiero, they will have their perfect dream of a starting lineup around Doncic actualized.

The Lakers have three of the five components pinned down with Luka, Austin, and Walker. The more they can reliably turn to Carr and Thiero as their fourth and fifth options around those two, the faster they will have the foundation of a bona fide contender in Los Angeles.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow