The return of LeBron James has created a ripple effect for the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing head coach JJ Redick to reconsider the composition of his starting five. With James back on the court, the offense that flowed seamlessly through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves during his absence now faces a new puzzle: how to balance star power, spacing, and defensive efficiency. The question on everyone’s mind — is it time for a major lineup shakeup?
Before James’ return, Rui Hachimura had flourished in the starting lineup, primarily occupying his natural power forward spot. Alongside Doncic, Reaves, and Deandre Ayton, Hachimura thrived as a secondary playmaker while the Lakers rolled out a long, versatile offensive unit. But now, with James reclaiming his small forward role, Hachimura is forced to shift, exposing some defensive vulnerabilities. A relative lack of footspeed has led to late closeouts and scrambling defense, leaving questions about the effectiveness of keeping him in the starting five.
Despite this, there’s a school of thought that the Lakers’ jumbo lineup — with Hachimura in the starting rotation — still provides advantageous mismatches. His size and skill set offer length against smaller opponents, creating opportunities in both transition and half-court offense. At the same time, Hachimura’s scoring output, averaging nearly 15 points per game, makes him a valuable asset on the floor with two of the Lakers’ top-three players. However, his offensive contributions may be maximized more effectively as a sixth man, providing instant scoring when the starters rest while maintaining lineup versatility.
This opens the door to a bold alternative: benching Hachimura in favor of Marcus Smart. Smart, the defense-first stalwart, could offer the Lakers the elite perimeter disruption they’ve been missing. Throughout the season, he has averaged 1.8 steals per game in just 26.8 minutes, taking charges, contesting shots, and harassing opposing wings and guards. While his shooting numbers have been subpar, the surrounding cast’s offensive efficiency allows Smart to capitalize in transition and generate high-percentage points off defensive stops.
Redick now faces a pivotal decision: maintain continuity with Hachimura as a starter, keeping the long, big lineup intact, or shift to a more defense-oriented approach by inserting Smart alongside James, Doncic, and Reaves. On paper, integrating Smart into the starting five seems logical, potentially bolstering a defense that has struggled against faster, more athletic lineups. It also allows the Lakers to experiment, gather data, and determine if a defensive-first approach could offset some of the spacing challenges that arise with James and Doncic on the floor together.
This decision could have ripple effects throughout the roster. Hachimura’s role as a scorer off the bench would allow Redick to stagger minutes for maximum offensive output, giving the Lakers a weapon to maintain momentum when starters rest. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Smart in the starting unit could alter how opposing teams approach matchups, forcing adjustments to counter the increased defensive pressure and playmaking versatility.
As the Lakers (13-4) prepare to build on a 135-118 dismantling of the Clippers, all eyes will be on Redick’s next move. Will he stick with the lineup that has brought early-season success, or will he embrace a new, defense-first philosophy designed to maximize LeBron’s return? The answer may well define the trajectory of the Lakers’ season and determine whether they can truly contend in a stacked Western Conference.
One thing is certain: the clock is ticking, and Redick’s decision will have fans, analysts, and opponents alike holding their breath. The coming weeks may reveal whether this Lakers roster can balance star power, defensive intensity, and chemistry — or if another shakeup is inevitable.
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