Los Angeles Lakers: Rotational fallout after suspensions

Replacing Ingram

Finding a plan to replace Brandon Ingram is slightly more complicated. He is vital to their plans to play small and is their most versatile defender with the ability to guard all five positions on the floor. His offense has been slow to start as he adjusts to having the ball less, but his defense will surely be the biggest thing missed during his four games out.

Rotationally, expect to see a lot more of Lance Stephenson and Kyle Kuzma. Stephenson may be thrusted into the starting lineup and is always a joy to watch play. He can guard 1-4 on the floor and is probably the best bet to give the same defensive output that Ingram does on the roster.

Kuz has been logging a lot of his time at the 5, but Ingram being out may shift the Lakers to a more traditional lineup. Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley have combined to play just over two minutes this season, yet will be contributors for the Lakers at the 5 with Kuzma having to play the 4 until Ingram returns.

The player to watch for is Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. The rookie wing is the best shooter on the Lakers’ roster, but has yet to appear through two games. Svi’s minutes were going to be far and few between this season, but given the Lakers’ troubles with spacing and shooting, giving him some run with Ingram and Rondo out is worth the gamble.

Replacing Ingram for four games will be a group effort compared to Lonzo and Caruso taking Rondo’s minutes. Ingram was vital to to the Lakers’ plans to go small, but without him, head coach Luke Walton will have to great creative in how he replaces the player he used all over the frontcourt. Playing traditional lineups and Svi are worth a shot during Ingram’s time out.