The buzz inside the UCLA Health Training Center has been palpable throughout the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason preparations, with players battling for roles, rotations being tested, and a roster stacked with depth forcing head coach Darvin Ham to make some difficult decisions.

Yet, as the dust settles and the regular season looms, one truth has crystallized: the Lakers’ optimal starting lineup isn’t a mystery—it’s a logical extension of the team’s identity, star power, and the front office’s offseason investments.

For a franchise with championship aspirations, the path to contention runs through a starting five that maximizes the talents of LeBron James and Anthony Davis while addressing the roster’s few remaining gaps.

After weeks of scrimmages, film sessions, and strategic tinkering, the pieces have fallen into place, revealing a unit that feels less like a prediction and more like an inevitability.

The foundation of any Lakers lineup starts with the two pillars of the franchise: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At this stage of his legendary career, LeBron remains the engine of the offense, a 39-year-old maestro whose basketball IQ and playmaking genius continue to defy time.

While his scoring might dip slightly, his ability to control tempo, set up teammates, and deliver in clutch moments is irreplaceable. Alongside him, Davis enters his prime as a two-way force, capable of dominating games on both ends when fully engaged.

His versatility—guarding multiple positions, scoring from anywhere, and anchoring the defense—allows the Lakers to build a roster that complements his strengths. These two aren’t just starters; they’re the cornerstones around which the entire lineup is constructed, and their synergy will dictate the team’s ceiling.

The most significant offseason addition, Deandre Ayton, slots in seamlessly at center, giving the Lakers a true force in the paint who can alleviate the physical burden Davis has carried for years.

Ayton, acquired in a trade that sent role players and draft assets to the Portland Trail Blazers, brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill that addresses the team’s most glaring need: consistent interior production.

At 7 feet tall and 250 pounds, he’s a rebounding machine, averaging over 10 boards per game for his career, and his ability to finish lobs, convert putbacks, and score efficiently in the post (career 60% shooter) provides a reliable offensive hub.

Defensively, he’s not a shot-blocking specialist like a prime Dwight Howard, but his mobility, strength, and improved rim protection make him a perfect partner for Davis in the frontcourt.

With Ayton manning the middle, Davis can slide to power forward, where his quickness and perimeter shooting can be weaponized, creating a duo that can switch defensively and dominate the glass.

In the backcourt, Austin Reaves has earned the right to retain his starting spot at shooting guard, evolving from a spark plug off the bench into one of the Lakers’ most indispensable players.

Reaves’ rise has been meteoric: his sharpshooting (career 38.3% from three), crafty playmaking, and knack for hitting clutch shots made him a fan favorite and a trusted crunch-time option for Ham.

More importantly, he’s developed a telepathic connection with LeBron, cutting off the ball, relocating for open threes, and making quick decisions that keep the offense humming.

His improvement on defense, though not elite, has been noticeable, and his basketball IQ allows him to fit seamlessly alongside stars. Reaves isn’t just a shooter; he’s a secondary playmaker who can run the offense when LeBron rests, and his work ethic has made him a leader in the locker room.

The point guard position presents the most intriguing competition, but D’Angelo Russell’s experience, shooting gravity, and fit with the starters make him the obvious choice to run the show.

Russell, who re-signed with the Lakers on a team-friendly deal this offseason, had an up-and-down 2023-24 campaign but finished strong, averaging 18.7 points and 6.4 assists after the All-Star break while shooting 43% from deep.

His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point range (career 36.8%) creates driving lanes for LeBron and Davis, and his pick-and-roll chemistry with Ayton—developed during their time together in Minnesota—could be a lethal weapon.

While Gabe Vincent brings tenacious defense and playoff experience, and rookie Bronny James shows promise as a playmaker, Russell’s offensive upside and comfort alongside the core give him the edge for the starting role. His challenge will be maintaining consistency and minimizing turnovers, but when he’s locked in, the Lakers’ starting five becomes nearly impossible to guard.

Rounding out the lineup at small forward is Rui Hachimura, whose two-way versatility and improved three-point stroke make him the perfect complement to the Lakers’ stars.

Hachimura, who signed a lucrative extension in the offseason, has transformed his game since arriving in Los Angeles, evolving from a mid-range specialist into a reliable floor-spacer who shot a career-best 42.3% from three in 2023-24. Defensively, his 6’8″ frame, quick feet, and strength allow him to guard multiple positions, from wings to stretch forwards, providing the switchability Ham covets.

Offensively, he’s a low-usage player who thrives off cuts, spot-ups, and transition opportunities, making him an ideal fit alongside ball-dominant stars like LeBron and Davis.

Hachimura’s consistency and ability to impact games without needing the ball in his hands solidify his spot over Cam Reddish, whose defensive upside is offset by offensive inconsistency, and Taurean Prince, who provides shooting but less defensive versatility.

The beauty of this starting five—Russell, Reaves, Hachimura, James, Davis, with Ayton at center—is its balance: it spaces the floor, protects the rim, and allows each player to operate in their optimal role.

The spacing provided by Russell, Reaves, and Hachimura will force defenses to pick their poison: double-team LeBron or AD, and risk giving up open threes; stay home on shooters, and watch the two superstars feast in the paint.

Defensively, the length and athleticism of Hachimura, Davis, and Ayton can switch screens, protect the rim, and rebound, while Russell and Reaves compete hard on the perimeter. This unit isn’t just talented; it’s cohesive, with each player’s skill set addressing a specific need.

The Lakers’ bench, meanwhile, will be anchored by Vincent, Prince, Reddish, and Christian Wood, giving Ham the flexibility to mix and match based on matchups.

Vincent can provide defensive intensity and shot-making in the backcourt, Prince offers floor-spacing, Reddish brings defensive versatility, and Wood can score in bursts off the bench. This depth ensures that the starters won’t be overtaxed, keeping LeBron and Davis fresh for the playoffs.

In the end, the Lakers’ “obvious” starting lineup isn’t just a prediction; it’s a reflection of the roster’s construction and the team’s championship DNA. By surrounding LeBron and AD with elite spacing, rim protection, and two-way wings, the front office has built a unit capable of competing with the NBA’s best.

As training camp winds down, the message from El Segundo is clear: this is the group that will lead the charge, a blend of star power, complementary skill, and hardened experience that has all the makings of a title contender. The only thing left to do is to go out and prove it.