Lakers

Lakers News: Starters Revealed Ahead Of LA’s Battle With Indiana

It’s yet another new first five.

Your Los Angeles Lakers’ starting five for tonight has been revealed! It’s another fresh first five, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com.

Per Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register, LA head coach Darvin Ham has revealed that 6’1″ “shooting” guard Patrick Beverley is set to rejoin the Lakers’ starting five tonight, after missing Tuesday’s 129-121 overtime win over the New York Knicks with a sore knee.

LeBron James (sore left ankle) was a game-time decision, but ultimately decided to suit up after getting through his pregame routine without any trouble.

Ham revealed that Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury), is available.

LA’s new starting five will consist of incumbent starting point guard Dennis Schröder, Beverley, new combo forward Rui Hachimura, James, and Davis. 

The 6’8″ Hachimura is an excellent option as a starter. I’m not sure what kind of dirt Beverley has on him to blackmail him into a long-term starting gig like this when there are clearly better options available (like the 6’4″ Lonnie Walker, a better shooter and finisher), but at least Ham isn’t going too tiny at the small forward spot, where Walker had been starting prior to his knee tendinitis injury. 

With Walker out, Ham had often opted to start swingman Troy Brown Jr., who at 6’6″ with a 6’11” is a taller, longer option than Walker, if not as enthusiastic a shooter or scorer. Brown had started in the stead of Beverley on Tuesday, completing a jumbo-sized starting five. Now, with everyone save Austin Reaves healthy, it appears that we have a new long-term starting five… at least, until the trade deadline next week.

According to LineStar NBA DFS, Indiana will be starting Tyrese Haliburton at point guard and rookie Andrew Nembhard at shooting guard for its backcourt. Nembhard’s fellow rookie Bennedict Mathurin, a far more active scorer and a high-level lottery pick last summer (selected at No. 6), is for some reason continuing to come off the bench for Rick Carlisle. Swingman (and LA trade target) Buddy Hield will start at the small forward spot, giving the Lakers a massive size edge, Aaron Nesmith will jump at the four, and Myles Turner will start at center.

MORE LAKERS NEWS:

LA Still Among Likely Landing Spots For Longtime Trade Target

3 Non-Myles Turner LA-Indiana Trade Ideas

Rui Hachimura’s Powerful Reason for Picking Jersey No. 28 in LA

Insider Thinks LA Should Trade For Veteran Wing Without Disrupting Core

LeBron James Longevity Highlighted Again Tuesday Against Knicks

Read More 

Back to top button