There are two starting jobs up for grabs and more than a few players who would love to win those duties for the Los Angeles Lakers. After training camp and two games played in the preseason, JJ Redick should have an initial assessment over how this competition is shaping up. Here is the best guess at how that meritocracy looks right about now.
A couple of important notes should be mentioned before we start. Jarred Vanderbilt has been deployed primarily as a big or center. One would imagine that takes him out of this race. Redick has also offered indication that Sandro Mamukelashvili will be used in a similar fashion.
With that being said...
7 — Dalton Knecht
Dalton Knecht is technically in this competition. It just happens to be in the same way that the person reading this could technically secure a date with Olivia Rodrigo.
Keeping it short and sweet before moving on to the real candidates: Knecht is far more likely to be cut or traded. Were it not for Vanderbilt's hefty contract, perhaps the Lakers wing would have a better chance to stay in Los Angeles. Even then, a starting job is a long shot, to put it kindly.
6 — Cameron Carr
Cameron Carr has flashed initial promise in these first two games. One would imagine there is still too much left to bridge the gap between that and being a starter, though.
There should be reason to believe Carr can fight his way into the Lakers' ideal rotation before the regular season starts. It would just be surprising if that involves more than a role as the 9th through 11th guy. Redick is warranted to want to see more from him first.
5 — Adou Thiero
Adou Thiero, much like Carr, should have a path toward a spot in the rotation. It would just be at the back end of it. There is still too much green for Redick to throw him in the deep end as a starter for Los Angeles.
Thiero did get a chance to run with the first five against the Golden State Warriors in the Lakers' second preseason game. That came due to who Redick held out of the game more than anything else.
Furthermore, there were clear struggles for him considering the Warriors did play the guys who they have closer to the top of their rotation. Thiero looked the part of his inexperience. While he did bounce back briefly in the second half, it is still premature to think he is any higher than this.
4 — Jake LaRavia
The highs and lows of the Jake LaRavia experience were on full display in these first two preseason games for the Lakers. The opener against the Sacramento Kings was incredibly encouraging. The Warriors matchup went far worse.
LaRavia does look like he has more confidence after a tough end to his first year with the Lakers. Despite having the edge over newcomers when it comes to in-house experience, the guys above him are still better positioned to win the starting jobs.
3 — Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle made quite the impression in his preseason debut with the Lakers. The veteran wing was disruptive on defense, and knocked down 50 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. 3-and-D was a fitting label for him that night.
That is, after all, what Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are going to need from the guys starting beside them. Thybulle understands that as well as anyone. He said it, in mostly those exact words, at Lakers Media Day.
There could be a stronger case here were it not for his injury history. Even with the Lakers having a plan in place to keep him healthy, it would still be a safer bet to use him in spurts off the bench.
2 — Ziaire Williams
Ziaire Williams has quickly found himself in one of the two prime positions needed to secure the starting spot he wanted since the offseason. His first preseason game with the Lakers was not perfect. However, the complimentary play on both ends was enough to be encouraged about.
Williams' defensive versatility, physical energy, and smart offense all stood out. Seeing him rest on the second night of a back-to-back was also a good indicator of his importance. Ziaire should be lightly penciled in for one of the two vacant spots right now.
1 — Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes, on the other hand, is quickly moving toward having his name go from pencil to pen. The new Lakers guard has given the team two games to feel good about out of the gates.
Grimes showed off his scoring ability and defensive pressure in the opener against Sacramento. He then followed that up with an imperfect but still praiseworthy effort on defense against Stephen Curry in the Warriors matchup.
At Lakers Media Day, Grimes was not shy about wanting to start. When asked whether that was on his agenda, he was open and honest in his response.
Grimes said: "100 percent. Having those comments [from Redick] brings out competition, brings drive. You want to be competitive every day in practice. ... I want to fight for it. I want to earn it. You don't want anything handed to you or given out to you."
Thus far, Grimes has been true to his word about fighting for it. It has now become a matter of how close Redick feels he is to earning it.
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