What happened
With Los Angeles one week from opening night against Golden State, the fifth spot in its starting lineup still appears unsettled after a preseason played without a fully healthy roster.
The piece says JJ Redick’s preseason starter management makes Ziaire Williams the early favorite over Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia and Sandro Mamukelashvili, even as each has shown a different fit.
If Williams opens there, the Lakers could lean toward a more switchable, defense-first group around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Until Redick confirms it, the competition remains live and preseason usage is still only a clue.
Automated brief based on the linked report. Lineup context is analysis; official starting-five labels come separately from our game data provider.
Original reporting: Who will be the Lakers’ fifth starter this season? — Yahoo Sports ↗