It is just about a given that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will be in the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup when the 2025-26 regular season officially starts in about two weeks. However, there is some debate about who should fill the fifth and final spot in that starting lineup.
Plenty assume that it will be forward Rui Hachimura, who started in 57 of his 59 games last season. Others feel guard Marcus Smart, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, should be considered.
The way that Jarred Vanderbilt has played in the Lakers’ first two preseason games, there may also be a bit of a groundswell of support for him to start. After Sunday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, L.A. coach JJ Redick addressed that possibility.
“People are gonna earn minutes. I think that goes for everybody. I’ve been very impressed by just the amount of work that he’s done this summer on his game. And obviously his body is significantly better than this time last year or even when the season ended. He’s moving better, his handle is tighter. I’ve never, ever seen him make a Euro-decel finish. It’s good, he’s been working on his game and the shot is sort of the big thing with him. If he can be a consistent 3-point shooter for us, that unlocks a lot.”
Just after Vanderbilt was traded to L.A. midway through the 2022-23 season, he started in 24 of his 26 games the rest of that season. But he was in the team’s starting lineup just eight times over the last two seasons, and his lack of ability to consistently hit from 3-point range has made it difficult to give him major playing time.
He apparently worked on his 3-point shooting over the summer, but he will have to show that he has actually improved his ability to hit from that distance during games. The Lakers will have four more preseason games, beginning with one against the Warriors this Sunday, Oct. 12.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on Jarred Vanderbilt’s chances of being in starting lineup
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
