NBA Reporter Reveals the Favorite To Be the Lakers Fifth Starter On Opening Night
Oct 2, 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers made some big moves this offseason, and with the team looking to build around the star duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, they've built a solid and very deep lineup ahead of the 2025–26 campaign. Additions, including DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart, have given them plenty of depth, but they've got a big decision to make on their starting lineup.
Already, it's assumed that Doncic, James, Ayton, and Austin Reaves will make up the key pieces of their lineup, with many speculating on either Smart or Rui Hachimura as the fifth starter. Now, Lakers Insider Anthony Irwin has all but confirmed it will be the talented Hachimura who will at least start the campaign as the team's final starter, with things potentially changing throughout the year.
“To Hachimura's point, continuity is a factor, sources say. The Lakers will open the season with a lighter slate and are looking to rack up wins early so as to maintain a higher seeding in the brutal West. As four of the Lakers' likely starters do have chemistry heading in, the hope is they can use that to help Ayton get comfortable and jump out on teams through offensive firepower.”
In Hachimura, the team gets a genuine three that can match up against some very tough opponents, but with injuries and inconsistencies throughout the year, don't be surprised to see the Lakers make a change at some point, with the chance to pivot to Smart or even Jake LaRavia.
