JJ Redick is going to try and play a deeper rotation this season. That much has been established clearly since the Los Angeles Lakers had their start-of-season press conference. What exactly does that look like?
With two starting spots up for grabs in Los Angeles, there are still plenty of variables. So, here is the best attempt to try and answer who starts, as well as the entire picture of the Lakers rotation as a whole.
Starting PG: Luka Doncic — 34 minutes
One of the goals for this season that Redick wanted to accomplish was bringing down the minutes of his main guys. More than anyone, Luka Doncic should be the focus of that strategy. The superstar point guard has averaged 35.6 minutes during his Lakers career. Let us bring him down to a cool 34.
Doncic should still be expected to receive a strong bulk of minutes. The Slovenian superstar is the franchise cornerstone after all.
Even with extra guards to turn to for Redick, Doncic will be the guy every Lakers gameplan will be built around. That comes with considerable weight on his shoulders, and a notable share in the minutes distribution.
Starting SG: Austin Reaves — 33 minutes
Again, let us believe that Redick is true to his word here. Austin Reaves averaged 34.5 minutes per game last season. Bring that number down a bit and you should get to where the other backcourt starter should be projected for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Reaves is still the secondary engine for what should be a high-powered offense in the upcoming campaign. That will earn him plenty of time to shine on the court.
Starting SF: Quentin Grimes — 25 minutes
Last year's ideal starting lineup featuring Doncic, Reaves, and Marcus Smart showed Redick does not care all too much about traditional positional designations. That is why projecting Grimes, who can be viewed as a two-guard, to occupy one of the two vacant spots is more than fair game.
Grimes has everything he needs to succeed in Los Angeles. The new arrival has a head coach who believes in him, a superstar who previously enjoyed success playing with him, and long-term security to put his mind at ease. The Lakers are hoping that all adds up to a breakout season.
Starting PF: Ziaire Williams — 22 minutes
Speaking of breakouts, Ziaire Williams has the opportunity to go from a minimum contract guy to a household name as a role player in the league. The thought around here all summer is that Williams seizes that chance. Nothing has changed about that belief.
In fact, the assurance of things playing out that way have only improved. The early reviews from Lakers training camp have featured strong praise for Williams and his ability on the defensive end. As long as the offense follows suit, this should be his starting job to lose.
Starting C: Walker Kessler — 32 minutes
Walker Kessler may actually end up playing more than just 32 minutes a night due to the lackluster center depth on the Lakers roster. For now, let us keep his playing time estimate on the more conservative end and have him just behind Doncic and Reaves.
Kessler will be asked to anchor the defense and finish scoring opportunities off his guards on offense. The new starting center has been excited for those tasks, raving about the defensive upside of this group and the playmaking Doncic provides on his lobs. Proving himself right will mean leaguewide recognition and eliminating all overpay narratives surrounding his Lakers deal.
6th man: Collin Sexton — 25 minutes
Collin Sexton will be the main guard tasked with keeping the offensive load on Doncic and Reaves from getting too heavy. That should mean the veteran guard is the guy off the bench who is receiving the highest amount of minutes.
The Lakers have not enjoyed the luxury of a capable second unit for several seasons. Sexton operating as a bench scorer will be key to changing that. The high-energy guard has been a capable and efficient bucket-getter throughout his career. Los Angeles wants every bit of that.
7th man: Sandro Mamukelashvili — 22 minutes
The main player who will be responsible for helping Sexton revive the second unit is Sandro Mamukelashvili. It was a fair gamble on the Lakers' part to think Mamu could aid in that cause. A breakout campaign with the Toronto Raptors in 2025-26 saw him generate Sixth Man of the Year buzz.
Mamu spoke on his determination to not grow complacent after receiving his new $52 million deal from the Lakers. If the Georgian big man is true to his word, Redick should have an exciting weapon to deploy off the bench as he experiments with Mamukelashvili at both the four and the five.
8th man: Matisse Thybulle — 18 minutes
Matisse Thybulle is the perfect veteran addition for the Lakers. The former two-time All-Defensive selection can help them muck it up on the back end, create havoc, and raise the overall compete levels. Offensively, his improvements on hitting his open shots will pair well with Doncic.
The tricky part with Thybulle will be maintaining his health. That is why using him as a super-sub would likely be in everyone's best interests to make this a successful partnership for both the Lakers and Matisse.
9th Man: Cameron Carr — 12 minutes
Cameron Carr enters a competitive environment in Los Angeles when it comes to winning his minutes as a rookie. There will be inevitable moments of inexperience that might deter Redick a bit from playing the young wing. Both sides must power through those instances.
Shaking off the early and inevitable struggles that come with being a rookie are best done through on-court experience. The Lakers are not the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, or any other team that has virtually no competitive aspirations this season. Those teams are given the luxury of playing their young guys as much as they want.
Even so, Redick should push forward with getting Carr just enough playing time to continually learn and grow throughout 2026-27. There is far too much talent here to simply keep him sitting at the end of the bench.
10th man: Adou Thiero — 10 minutes
A lot of what can be said for Carr can also be regurgitated for Adou Thiero. The Lakers are not overflowing with young talent. It is important to really focus on developing the best of what they have in-house. The athletic forward counts among that bunch.
Thiero missed his opportunity to hit the ground running last season due to injury. He intends to be available in this go-around. Should Adou play his part, Redick should make an honest effort to allow developmental minutes for his freakishly athletic prospect.
11th man: Flex — 7 minutes
This one really comes down to a nightly basis type of thing.
Do the Lakers need Kevon Looney's physicality for a specific matchup? Great, throw him in there. Is another defensive wing needed? That is Jake LaRavia's music. Does the night call for a little more guard help? Bronny James or Jaden Hardy can get tapped in.
The Lakers have several playable options for some spot minutes that are dictated by their opponent. Redick can maximize them in his efforts to go deeper with the rotation this year.
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