If the Los Angeles Lakers’ upcoming offseason unfolds according to plan, their 2018-19 starting lineup should look something like this. Hint: A trip to the playoffs would be nearly guaranteed.
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ focus appears to be on the future. Despite the exciting amount of young talent already on the roster, the losses continue to pile up and the postseason is becoming a distant dream. Hence, the persistent eye on 2018.
With said eye, I wanted to take a peak at what the Lakers’ starting lineup could look like in 2018-19. I may not be clairvoyant, but that doesn’t mean I can’t speculate on who will still be around, which free agents will be signed and who will cement themselves as starters.
Before moving forward, I feel I must clarify that I made every effort to keep this within the realm of possibility. There will be no Stephen Curry or Kristaps Porzingis in this hypothetical lineup. All mentioned players are either currently on the roster or at least stand a decent chance of signing with the Lakers as free agents in 2018.
Now that we’ve got that figured out, I think we can move forward with confidence.
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So without further ado, let’s take a look at what I believe will be the Lakers’ 2018-19 starting lineup. There’s no guarantee things turn out anything like this, but it isn’t completely out of the question if certain pieces fall into place for Magic Johnson and co.
Point Guard: Lonzo Ball
Is there really any other option at point guard? Since the day he was drafted back in June, Lonzo Ball has been the starting point guard for the Lakers. More than likely, that’ll be the case until the day he retires or leaves the franchise in some way.
Up to this point, Ball hasn’t quite met the expectations of fans during his rookie season. Especially through the first quarter of the campaign, he struggled with shooting/scoring, and wasn’t the offensive sparkplug we saw during Summer League and the preseason. However, in recent weeks, we’ve seen his star shine noticeably brighter.
Ball is beginning to play with more confidence. He isn’t as conservative on offense, and is seeking out more opportunities to put the ball in the basket. On top of that, his shooting has seen a significant uptick in effectiveness, especially from 3-point range.
Is Ball already a superstar? Not necessarily. The talent and potential are certainly there, though, especially when we look at what he can do as a facilitator and opportunistic defender.
If all goes as planned, the Lakers’ No. 2 overall pick in 2017 will pan out as well as expected. Ball will develop into one of the better point guards in the league, using his keen basketball IQ, passing skills and leadership to usher this franchise into a new era of prosperity.
Shooting Guard: Brandon Ingram
I know, right? Brandon Ingram at shooting guard? His 6’9″ frame would make him one of the biggest 2-guards in the game. With the 6’6″ Ball at point guard, this would potentially be the league’s biggest backcourt.
The fit is there, though.
Ingram has all of the tools to be a dominant starting shooting guard. First, he has the shooting skills, either as a mid-range scorer or 3-point threat. This season, he’s shooting 44.7 percent from the field, and has enjoyed significant improvement with his long range effectiveness.
On top of that, he’s a terrific weapon as a slashing scorer who can use his length, size and handles to get to the rim. As we’ve seen all season long, Ingram excels in isolation and using his ever-improving drive to create points. Especially with the other players mentioned later in this hypothetical starting lineup, the 2-spot seems like the best fit for the long, athletic Ingram.
It may not be ideal for his development, particularly on the defensive end. However, it allows him to stay in the starting lineup while working alongside other stars. The Lakers need his impact on the floor as often as possible, and shooting guard is where they’ll continue to have it.
Small Forward: Paul George
Let’s be honest — things haven’t gone as Paul George had hoped with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There have been too many downs and not enough ups, and there’s too much competition in the Western Conference.
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Chances are, when the offseason arrives, George will decide to test the free agency waters instead of re-signing with the Thunder. That’s just the way it is, unless OKC miraculously gets it together and makes a run during the postseason. Based on what we’ve seen so far, though, I don’t see that happening.
If that actually ends up being the case, the Lakers must make a run at George. Seeing as they own more than enough cap space and (allegedly) PG-13’s heart, getting him to put pen to paper shouldn’t be too difficult. That allows him to play for the team he grew up loving, while stepping into the superstar role in Los Angeles.
George would then slot in as the starting small forward, pushing Ingram to the 2-guard role. He’s a terrific weapon on offense who will thrive as one of Ball’s main options. On top of that, he’d bring relentless defense out on the wing, allowing them to slow some of the West’s other top scorers.
This one has been about a year in the making. Folks have tried to shoot this down as a pipe dream, but it’s starting to look like the Lakers could go with George as LeBron James starts to seem like a long shot.
Power Forward: Kyle Kuzma
The most exciting of the Lakers’ rising stars, Kyle Kuzma has spent his entire rookie season shocking the rest of the league. The No. 27 overall pick has exceeded all expectations, and is currently making a case for himself as the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year.
All potential awards aside, Kuzma figures to be a prominent piece of this lineup for years to come. He’s already proven his worth as an electric scorer, rebounder and overall lightning rod, bringing tremendous energy, passion and confidence to this Lakers lineup. That should ring true for years, especially if he continues to develop at his current pace.
The best part is that Kuzma figures to only get better as the years go by. Even by 2018, he should have taken a significant step forward in his progress as a player. Whether he’s upgrading his efficiency as a shooter or working on his average defensive chops, there’s more room to grow.
For the purposes of this exercise, though, he’s an ideal fit as the starting power forward. He can serve as a stretch-4 type talent, with the ability to hit from anywhere on the floor while also displaying the tenacity and technique to effectively crash the boards. Just ask the eight rebounds per game he’s averaging in the month of December.
It’s amazing to see how far Kuzma has come in such a short amount of time. Having him in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future should be a top priority for the Lakers.
Center: DeMarcus Cousins
Boom! Everyone in Hollywood wants the Lakers to land LeBron in 2018. However, I believe DeMarcus Cousins is two things: 1) The best answer to Los Angeles’ top needs and 2) A very realistic free agent target for the Lakers.
To add to the first point, Cousins gives the Lakers a dominant center, a position that has plagued them for much of the 2017-18 season. He’s an offensive dynamo, bringing both bruising interior force and uncanny shooting from the 5-spot. To top it off, he’s an outstanding rim protector who can also own the boards.
Whether he’s sending shots back or getting fed by Ball all game long, Cousins would be a welcomed addition to this Lakers lineup. Now on to the second point.
While not from California, Cousins is believed to be very interested in playing for the Lakers. When he was on the trade block a season ago, his representatives even went as far as telling the Sacramento Kings brass he wanted to be traded to Los Angeles (via the Undefeated’s Marc Spears). That type of interest doesn’t just disappear over night.
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With Cousins set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it’ll be interesting to see if he decides to take his talents elsewhere. My guess is he turns his back on the New Orleans Pelicans and joins the Lakers once they find a way to make his and George’s contract fit under the cap.