The Los Angeles Lakers are off to the best start in the NBA (along with the Philadelphia 76ers) at 9-2. LA has wisely rested Luka Doncic for two games already this season, and the Lakers must continue to manage his workload carefully.
Luka isn't the only guy to worry about, though. While this hot start might tempt the Lakers to rest Doncic even more and overwork Austin Reaves, that wouldn't make sense. Reaves is currently leading the Lakers in minutes per game (36.2), slightly above Doncic's 36.0, and neither of those figures should creep up any higher. Remember -- both Doncic and Reaves had their bodies betray them ahead of last year's postseason.
Walker Kessler (31.0 minutes per game) also needs rest. This is LA's Big 3, and all three of them will need to be healthy in the playoffs for the Lakers to have a shot at contending. A 9-2 start and a first-place positioning in the West out of the gate, if anything, should have LA committing further to some of its bench pieces as the season really gets going here.
In the opposite situation (say, a 2-9 or a 3-8 start), the Lakers might be under pressure to play their best guys big minutes until the record improves. But given the current circumstances, there are no excuses for the Lakers to be anything other than consistently cautious with Luka, AR, and Kessler's minutes moving forward. Which leads to the question ... which of LA's bench guys should get more playing time?
Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr should see role increases for the Lakers
Quentin Grimes is now injured, which should momentarily open up more minutes for Thiero and Carr on the wing. But even once Grimes returns, Lakers head coach JJ Redick should continue giving Thiero opportunities and make it a point to get Carr rolling as a regular fixture of the rotation. Sandro Mamukelashvili deserves more minutes (and touches), too, especially if Kevon Looney remains unplayable.
With Jaden Hardy and Bronny James also looking unplayable lately, the next guy I'd give more minutes to is Jarred Vanderbilt. Even though Vando has looked mostly bad or mediocre in his court time this season, he's still an experienced player who provides value defensively.
I know I was focusing on the Big 3 above, but the Lakers also don't want to put too much mileage on Matisse Thybulle or Ziaire Williams -- both key players for them. Thiero, Carr, and Vanderbilt should see their opportunities increase in the coming weeks and months. Conserve the starters! It's a marathon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google