With training camp on the horizon and the roster looking set for now, it’s time to look at the 2025-26 Lakers and consider what the best starting unit is.
The first four spots are relatively easy to fill out. Los Angeles has an All-NBA player in LeBron James and a superstar in Luka Dončić, so clearly these two will be starting.
The next two shoo-ins are Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton.
Despite Reaves struggling in the postseason, he’s still the best guard on this team after Luka. The Lakers’ signing of Ayton gives them a new lob threat at the five spot and he’s a clear upgrade from Jaxson Hayes.
Rui Hachimura certainly has a strong case to be a starter.
He started in 57 of the 59 games he played in last year. Hachimura had one of his best seasons of his career, averaging 13.1 points,