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Los Angeles Lakers: Starting lineup locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

By Josh Cornelissen

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a basket during a 112-103 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a basket during a 112-103 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images /

The Los Angeles Lakers have two elite stars. How to surround them with the best starting lineup? Here are the candidates for the other three spots.

The Los Angeles Lakers are riding high after a season that ended at the top. That is not to say it was an easy season, as the death of Kobe Bryant, the onset of a global pandemic and the burden of racial injustice all swept over the team. Even so, in the end, it was the Lakers holding the trophy.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis were the backbone of the team, and accordingly started every game in which they played. Despite the perceived turmoil of settling the rotation around them, the Lakers had a fairly secure starting lineup overall. JaVale McGee and Danny Green likewise started every game in which they played.

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The final starting slot primarily belonged to Avery Bradley, who played in 49 games and started 45 of them. When he wasn’t available or fully healthy, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got the start. With Bradley opting out of the bubble, it was “KCP” stepping up as a regular starter and having a number of key games during the postseason push, when he started all 21 games for the Lakers.

Bradley is now gone, as are McGee and Green. The Lakers reloaded at a number of positions, adding Dennis Schroeder via trade and Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews via free agency. How will the rotation shake out in 2020-21, and who will ultimately make the starting lineup?

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