Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We are officially a week away from the Los Angeles Lakers opening the season against the Golden State Warriors, and the final spot in the Lakers’ starting lineup still seems to be wide open.
Los Angeles hasn’t had the luxury of a fully healthy squad in its four preseason games, but
the results have been impressive nonetheless. After the Lakers traded for Walker Kessler and, soon after, signed Quentin Grimes in free agency, it was clear they’d be starting alongside Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić. But the discussion surrounding who would slot into the fifth spot in the lineup has persisted ever since.
The debate has only picked up steam through the preseason. Players like Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jake LaRavia have each made a strong case to stake their claim.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask who you would name the Lakers’ fifth starter between that quartet.
Los Angeles entered the offseason with the intention of getting younger, more athletic players capable of defending and shooting around Luka, Austin and Kessler. Each of the four players vying for the fifth spot, interestingly enough, offers varying and unique skill sets to complement the team’s Big 3.
Based on the way head coach JJ Redick has managed the starters with players in and out of the lineup all preseason, Williams appears to be the favorite. His length, defensive acumen and shooting potential fill the prototypical starting power forward spot in L.A.’s lineup. In his only preseason game, Williams scored 13 points on 3-for-3 shooting from deep. His defensive activity jumped off the screen.
Thybulle has been a sobering presence in the Lakers’ defensive attack. The point-of-attack and off-ball defensive wizardry has been on full display. In the three games he’s played, the Lakers have posted a 97.0 defensive rating while he’s been on the floor.
LaRavia comes into the season with a brand new jump shot, and the results are looking great. He’s now shooting 53.8% from deep on 3.3 attempts per game. Couple that with his natural defensive instinct, and he makes a great case to start. LaRavia played all 82 games for Los Angeles last season; he started in 43 of them.
Lastly, Mamu is perhaps the biggest winner of the preseason. He’s been dubbed ‘The Connector” for his versatile playstyle and ability to share the court with seemingly everyone on the roster. However, with the Lakers’ lack of a serviceable backup center, it’s hard to see Redick doing anything other than a pseudo-stagger between Kessler and Mamu.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think is the best fit to slot into the fifth spot? Vote and share your opinion below!
You can follow Connor on Twitter at @cmorenoNBA.
