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Los Angeles Lakers: Examining the lineup possibilities

By Gabriel Saavedra

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Anthony Davis (L) talks with LeBron James as Davis is introduced as the newest player of the Los Angeles Lakers during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on July 13, 2019 in El Segundo, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Anthony Davis (L) talks with LeBron James as Davis is introduced as the newest player of the Los Angeles Lakers during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on July 13, 2019 in El Segundo, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers could be a special one. Built to achieve one goal — win a championship — but what could the lineup look like? Who is going to shine the most? What will Dwight Howard bring to the team?

The lineup for Los Angeles Lakers this year is going to look completely different than the past three years. The last three years were losing seasons under young guys drafted by the Lakers surrounded by decent veterans. Not this year.

We all know the experience this team has put together. Do we even have to discuss LeBron James‘ historic finals run or how good Anthony Davis is? The rest of the crew is what’s important. The rest of the team will decide if the Lakers will have a go at a title this upcoming season.

Yet, even the rest of the roster isn’t inexperienced. Quinn Cook, who was a guard for the Golden State Warriors, getting playoff and finals playing time. Danny Green, who is a vet who knows what it takes to get to the finals. Rajon Rondo, who instilled the work ethic in the young guys last year.

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Avery Bradley, who not too long ago fought against LeBron in the playoffs as a Celtic. Jared Dudley, who is more valuable than you would think. I mean just look at last year’s Brooklyn Nets team. Jared Dudley really helped that team a lot.

Of course, the new addition, Dwight Howard, who hasn’t seen much playoff action in recent years but he still knows what it takes to get there and is still a pretty solid player to help this team.

What could the lineup entail this year for the Los Angeles Lakers? Who is the starting point guard? Is Anthony Davis going to play center? There are a ton of questions surrounding this teams ability to play together and gel into one group.

Here is what I think the starting lineup could look like for the team and who I think is going to shine the most in it.

I think the starting lineup will not have Kyle Kuzma staring alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. The main reason being Anthony Davis. It is documented now that Davis does not want to play the center position, at least during the regular season. Putting power forward Kyle Kuzma to the bench lineup.

Dwight Howard, although a nice addition to the team, should not be in the starting lineup. He is limited athletically due to his past injuries. He also shouldn’t play heavy minutes. It also comes down to JaVale McGee, who is much more athletic and could complement Davis very well.

McGee averaged 7.5 rebounds a game with two blocks per game as well last season. He has proven himself as a shot-blocker and could form a tandem well with Davis, who is athletic much in the same ways.

With the center, the power forward and the small forward positions filled, the guard play is left. The shooting guard position looks all but locked up for Danny Green. Green, who is fresh off of a finals win, seems to have the starting spot. At least for the start of the season.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he lost the starting position to someone playing better during the season. Green truly does have competition with KCP and Avery Bradley. He has to fight to keep and earn his starting spot.

The point guard position for this team is kind of a mystery. Does the team go with the veteran leadership in Rondo or go with a scoring guard in Cook, or even maybe Alex Caruso. Personally, I don’t see Rondo starting, but I do see Cook starting, at least at the beginning of the season.

The reason being Rondo is much too similar to LeBron. Making the point guard and small forward one and the same, except one is much bigger and can score from pretty much anywhere on the floor. Whereas Cook does not need the ball in his hands to be effective. That is/was the Warriors way after all.

Quinn Cook can run the floor like Steph Curry does when the ball is not in his hands, which I feel will result in a ton of good looks for Cook with the amount of spacing on the floor he will get playing alongside LeBron, Davis and Green.

Who is going to shine the most on this lineup though? I think the answer is Anthony Davis. He is going to prove his worth this season. Now I still think LeBron will be the leader of the team, but Davis as young as he is and him never being on this good of a team before should bring out the best in him.

With the starting lineup filled out, it leaves the bench, consisting of Rondo at the point, KCP at shooting guard, Avery Bradley at small forward, Kuzma at power forward, and Dwight Howard at center.

That bench lineup would be one of the better ones in the NBA. It has a young up and coming star in Kuzma, a veteran point guard to lead them in Rondo, a starting-caliber center playing for redemption against backup centers and a good dynamic shooting duo with KCP and Bradley.

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The Lakers have one of the most complete teams this year. They just have to piece it together right and compete day in and day out. If they can do that, they have a real good shot at the title this upcoming season.

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