LOS ANGELES – When the 2025-26 season tips-off, four of the five starters for the Los Angeles Lakers are certain to be LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton. Whom the fifth starter is for the Lakers is a little less certain. Last season, the starting small forward spot was held by Rui Hachimura , who would appear to have a good shot to reprise that role.

In James, Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers have three experienced and elite ball-handlers. All three figure to have the ball in their hands, and each will take turns functioning as a primary playmaker and shot creator . In the other two starters, the Lakers will expert off-ball movers. Ayton can do so in the pick and roll as the roller, and then Hachimura fits in as a catch-and-shoot player and as a cutter.

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