Los Angeles Lakers: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 regular season

 3. What lineup will consistently close out games?

This question is mostly based on what team the Lakers are facing on a given night, but every team has a go-to lineup it feels comfortable closing games out with. The Golden State Warriors’ Death Lineup or Hamptons Five is the most extreme example, and the 29 other franchises are searching for their own version of this to continuously turn to when a run or stop is needed.

For head coach Luke Walton, there are plenty of options for closing out games in his rotation. LeBron James and Brandon Ingram seem like the only locks, and after those two, there’s almost an overwhelming decision to make on a given night.

Do you play Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo together, or opt for more 3-and-D style wings in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart alongside LeBron and Ingram? Is Kyle Kuzma a solid enough defender to play the 5, or will JaVale McGee be forced into the lineup if opponents are waltzing into the paint?

I would assume LeBron and Ingram are locks with Lonzo being the surest thing after that for a guaranteed spot … unless his shot is haywire, which opens the door for Rondo. The defensive qualities of KCP and Hart are attractive to throw along the wing as well, and the spot-up shooting is perfect for Ingram and LeBron.

There’s so much offensive firepower on this roster that I’d lean on the defensive side of things and go Lonzo-Hart-Ingram-LeBron-Kuzma and use the switching scheme to keep offenses away from the rim.