Everything felt different for a minute there. The Lakers started this 2025-26 season on a heater, going 15-4 and making everyone in Los Angeles believe that pairing LeBron James with Luka Doncic was the ultimate cheat code. But basketball has a way of humbling you. Fast forward to mid-January, and things are, honestly, a bit of a mess.
The Lakers just got smoked by the Charlotte Hornets, 135-117. It wasn't just a loss; it was a "forgot how to play defense" kind of disaster. Now, as they head into a Saturday night clash with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers projected starting lineup is under a microscope like never before. Injuries are piling up, and JJ Redick is basically being forced to play a game of musical chairs with his rotation.
The Current State of the Lakers Projected Starting Lineup
If you're looking for stability, you've come to the wrong place. The biggest news hitting the wire right now is that Luka Doncic is OUT for the Portland game due to left groin soreness. Losing a guy who averages 33.6 points and nearly 9 assists is a gut punch.
Then there's the Austin Reaves situation. He’s still sidelined with that nasty left calf strain, and he isn't expected back until late January. When you lose your two primary creators, your "projected" lineup starts looking more like a "survival" lineup.
Here is how the Lakers are expected to roll out against the Blazers:
- Point Guard: Marcus Smart
- Shooting Guard: Gabe Vincent
- Small Forward: LeBron James
- Power Forward: Jake LaRavia
- Center: Deandre Ayton (Questionable)
Basically, if Ayton can’t go because of his knee soreness, we’re looking at Jaxson Hayes—who is also dealing with a hamstring issue—or potentially some very small-ball looks with LeBron at the five. It’s not ideal.
Why Jake LaRavia is the Name Everyone’s Talking About
Nobody had "Jake LaRavia saves the season" on their bingo card back in October. But here we are. Since Rui Hachimura went down with a calf injury in late December, LaRavia has stepped into the starting role and, quite frankly, outshined expectations.
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In the loss to Charlotte, he was one of the few bright spots, dropping 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and hitting three triples. He brings a grit that this team desperately needs. Coach Redick has even hinted that even with Hachimura healthy and returning to the bench, LaRavia’s spot in the Lakers projected starting lineup might be permanent for now. Why? Because the lineup with Rui, Luka, and LeBron was getting shredded defensively, posting a net rating of -19.9. You can't win like that.
The Deandre Ayton Question
The Lakers traded for Deandre Ayton over the summer to solve their rebounding and size issues. Has it worked? Sorta. He’s averaging nearly a double-double, but the consistency just isn't there.
Right now, he's a game-time decision for Saturday with knee soreness. If he sits, the Lakers are tiny. We saw the Hornets out-rebound them by 15. If Portland’s Donovan Clingan gets a crack at a frontcourt without Ayton, it could be another long night for Laker fans.
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Breaking Down the Bench
With the starters in flux, the bench has to step up. It's been their Achilles' heel all year—literally ranking last in bench scoring for a huge chunk of the season.
- Rui Hachimura: He’s back but being eased in. He played 18 minutes against Atlanta recently and seems destined for a "super-sub" role to anchor the second unit.
- Dalton Knecht: The rookie has shown flashes of being a flamethrower, but he needs consistent touches.
- Bronny James: He’s back with the main squad after a G League stint. Don't expect huge minutes, but he's there for depth.
The JJ Redick Strategy Shift
Redick is a smart guy. He knows the numbers. He told reporters recently that they look for about 250 minutes of data before they "normalize" a lineup's performance. Well, the data is in on the original starting five, and it’s not pretty.
The shift to Marcus Smart in the starting backcourt wasn't just about injuries; it was about defense. Smart brings a "dawg" mentality that Reaves and Doncic sometimes lack on that end of the floor. But with Luka out, Smart has to pivot from being a defensive stopper to a primary floor general. It’s a lot to ask of a guy who has struggled with his shot lately (he went 0-for-5 against the Kings just a few days ago).
What This Means for Your Betting and Fantasy Outlook
If you're looking at the Lakers projected starting lineup for fantasy purposes, LeBron is going to see a massive usage spike with Luka out. Expect him to flirt with a triple-double. Also, keep an eye on Gabe Vincent. He’s been quiet, but he’ll get all the shots he can handle in this temporary starting role.
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Honestly, the Lakers are at a crossroads. They are 24-15, which is respectable, but they've lost four of their last five. The "vibes" are officially low. The body language in the Charlotte game was atrocious—guys weren't rotating, nobody was talking, and LeBron looked every bit of 41 years old for the first time in a while.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Injury Report: Ayton and Hayes are the keys. If both sit, the Lakers will likely start LeBron at center and go ultra-small.
- Monitor LaRavia’s Minutes: If he stays over 30 minutes, he’s a legitimate impact player for this rotation.
- Expect a Slow Pace: Without Luka’s transition brilliance and with Smart running the point, the Lakers will likely try to grind games out in the half-court to stay competitive defensively.
The road doesn't get easier. After Portland, the schedule toughens up. This version of the Lakers needs to find its identity—and fast—before a mid-season slump turns into a full-blown crisis. If you're heading to the game or watching from home, keep an eye on how the ball moves without Luka. It might be ugly, but it'll tell us a lot about whether JJ Redick’s system can survive without its brightest star.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure to check the final active roster exactly 30 minutes before tip-off, as the center position remains a fluid situation depending on Ayton's pre-game warmup.