Los Angeles Lakers: 2018-19 NBA season preview
Storyline 1: Who rotates at the 5?
It’s no secret the Los Angeles Lakers want to play up-tempo, which means big men are not often used. The Lakers doubled down on this philosophy with only JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac as true centers heading into the season. However, neither has shown the ability to log extended minutes in the NBA with McGee’s 16.7 minutes career per game average and Zubac being an end of the bench player.
McGee will be the starter for the Lakers, but when he’s off the floor, they’ll be banking on small-ball to prevail. This already started in training camp and the first preseason game with Kyle Kuzma logging minutes at the 5. This is undoubtedly an advantage for them offensively in terms of spacing the floor and mismatches, but the lack of rim protection could lead to a parade of interior finishing on the defensive end.
Walton said they’ve been trying Kuzma out at the 5 in some spots of practice. Said the coverages are different there, so he has to learn more, but generally: “He’s been great. He’s competing, he’s working on his game.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 28, 2018
LeBron James will also see time at the 5 this season, and Moritz Wagner will when his knee injury heals up, but coming into the season with one legit big in McGee could be risky. If he misses any time, the Lakers would have to get very creative along the frontcourt, possibly turning to Michael Beasley to try his hand at the 5.
The Lakers have size across every position with large guards and lanky wings everywhere on the roster that can play defense and prevent teams from reaching the paint. But there will be big men that can punish LeBron and Kuz on the block, or at least wear them down. Expect the Lakers to add a veteran big later in the season, and in the meantime, we’ll see if they can force teams to downsize to them and play in their comfort zone.