Assuming DonÄić, James, Reaves and Ayton are securely four of the five starters, who will Redick go with as a fifth (assuming full health)?
Rui Hachimura is the incumbent, bringing size (6’8″) and outside shooting (42.9 percent from three-point range last season). He’s more confident as a starter. Arguably, the Lakers get the most out of Hachimura when he starts, which was why, in part, he was in the rotation ahead of Dorian Finney-Smith last year.
Redick needs to maximize this roster, not just one player. Hachimura remains a viable option for what he brings to the court. While he’s not exceptionally agile on the perimeter defensively, he uses his size well and provides additional offense and spacing.
Redick has three reasonable options instead of Hachimura. Smart would provide a defensive upgrade, taking on the opposing team’s primary perimeter scoring threat. Upgrading the Lakers’ backcourt defense this season was a priority, and Smart is a former winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award (2021-22). While he shot well for the Washington Wizards over 15 games last season (39.2 percent from three), his career average of 33.5 percent is a significant drop-off from Hachimura’s. The most significant caveat with Smart is durability, averaging 57.7 games through his 11 seasons.
Another option is Jake LaRavia, who may be the Lakers’ most significant offseason acquisition after Ayton. He’s a solid 6’7″ forward, though Redick recently indicated he may earn rotation minutes at guard.
Almost 24, LaRavia has shown with the Memphis Grizzlies (and briefly with the Sacramento Kings) that he’s a willing, high-effort defender. Whether he can do that at a playoff level isn’t tested yet, but he could round out the starting five as a viable two-way player. LaRavia’s case begins by outplaying Hachimura, offering more versatility on defense without sacrificing outside shooting.
Finally, Jarred Vanderbilt has his first healthy summer in years after extensive foot problems. He’s a versatile, mobile defender at 6’8″, but he hasn’t provided any real offensive threat for the Lakers the past two seasons. Opposing defenses have often ignored him, shrinking the floor for L.A.’s other scorers.
Vanderbilt may be a more viable option when others are injured, barring a significant change in his ability to shoot.
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