Ever since Luka Dončić landed in Los Angeles around Game 51, the Lakers have played like a team reborn. With Dončić and LeBron James as the driving force—and rookie head coach JJ Redick stabilizing the system—L.A. has surged back into contention. They’re sitting in the top tier of the West and eyeing a serious run at the Finals.
The turnaround has centered around two main starting lineups:
Lineup 1: Dončić – Hachimura – Hayes – LeBron – Reaves
Lineup 2: Dončić – Finney-Smith – Hayes – LeBron – Reaves
Three names are untouchable (if healthy) at this point: LeBron, Dončić, and Austin Reaves, whose energy, versatility, and ability to play off both stars make him a must-have in the starting five. But the other two spots? Wide open.
The playoffs are all about adaptability—and what worked in March might get exposed in May. Here are three Lakers who’ve seen starter minutes recently but may need to shift to a bench role, round by round, depending on the matchup.
Jaxson Hayes – size and athleticism, but not always the answer
Hayes is the Lakers’ only true athletic big in the rotation, which has earned him a default starting role. He’s mobile, bouncy, and runs the floor well—but his awareness, scoring, and defensive discipline remain inconsistent. He is also injured from time to time.
Against teams with slower, traditional bigs (like Denver’s Jokic or Minnesota’s Gobert), Hayes might be needed early. But against quicker or smaller teams that stretch the floor, the Lakers may benefit from using LeBron, Kleber, or even small-ball looks at the 5 to keep up defensively. Hayes has a role—but it’s far from matchup-proof.
Rui Hachimura – skillful, but too inconsistent for every series
Hachimura has provided size and smooth scoring flashes, particularly in the mid-range. But he’s also disappeared for stretches and struggled with help defense and rotations. He’s started sometimes since Dončić arrived, but the trust isn’t fully there yet. He also had a longer injury break now.
Against slower-paced or physical teams, Rui’s presence might be helpful. But against fast, wing-heavy teams with elite movement—think Sacramento or Golden State—JJ Redick may need more defensive bite. Players like Vanderbilt could be better fits in those matchups. Rui’s best playoff moments might come off the bench when the tempo suits him.
Dorian Finney-Smith – reliable veteran, but not a lock to start
DFS brings toughness, defensive grit, and playoff experience. He’s versatile on defense and can hit the corner three—but his offense has been spotty since joining the Lakers, and his fit next to both LeBron and Dončić isn’t always seamless.
In matchups where the Lakers need wing stoppers, Finney-Smith is a smart choice. But in series where offensive spacing and tempo take priority, Redick may need to lean on faster or more versatile forwards like Jarred Vanderbilt or even Markieff Morris. DFS will still play—just not necessarily as a starter every night.
Final Thought: One core, many lineups
LeBron. Dončić. Reaves. That’s the Lakers’ core trio. Everything else should be treated like playoff chess. JJ Redick has the pieces to adjust from round to round—maybe even game to game.
Hayes, Hachimura, and Finney-Smith are all valuable, but none of them should be locked into a fixed starting role. The West is loaded with matchup nightmares, and every series will require a new lineup recipe. If the Lakers want to reach the Finals, flexibility won't just be helpful—it'll be essential.