Los Angeles Lakers lineup preview, Part 4: How will the bench look?

Final thoughts

This projected bench lineup has some working parts, but there’s reasons to be skeptical about how successful it will be in the modern NBA. I have real concerns about how well Kuzma and Nance Jr. will be able to stay with wings on the perimeter, and the same could be said when Clarkson is isolated against top guards. They need stops to unlock transition opportunities, and I don’t seem them getting many.

Offensively, Clarkson’s isolated-based game isn’t what you want when space could be limited with Nance Jr. and Bogut on the floor. Nance Jr. should look to extend his range to open up space for teammates and make him a better-rounded player. He’s a good free throw shooter (73 percent last season), which could indicate success in stepping out beyond the arc.

The main thing to remember when dealing with the inevitable struggles this group will face is their youth. Take out Bogut and there’s a combined five years of NBA experience between Hart, Clarkson, Kuzma, and Nance Jr. The two rookies, Kuzma and Hart, will take time adapting to the speed of the game and should be given some leeway when evaluating them in the early part of the season.

As a whole, this lineup would find success in the right opportunities where Bogut would be allowed to stay in the paint defensively. Big men are being utilized off the bench more frequently these days, so having him come off the bench with this group could work in his favor.

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This bench unit will look much different later in the season if the Los Angeles Lakers fall out of playoff contention. I’d expect Clarkson, Hart, Kuzma, and Nance Jr. to continue their usual roles, but look for Ivica Zubac to slowly take minutes away from Bogut as the Lakers’ season continues. Either way, the entire bench is made up of intriguing young talent to monitor throughout the season.