The Lakers are heading into the regular season with no clear starting lineup, and that uncertainty starts at the top. JJ Redick initially said the team’s final preseason game against Sacramento would reflect the regular-season rotations — a “dress rehearsal” featuring Gabe Vincent alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and DeAndre Ayton. But after the game, Redick backtracked, saying he’s still undecided, leaving the Lakers’ opening-night identity as murky as ever.
When asked if Vincent’s inclusion meant he’d be starting for good, Redick responded:
“I don’t know anything about who I’m going to be starting all season… I have a pretty good idea who’s going to start game one; after that, I don’t know.”
That quote perfectly captures where the Lakers are right now: somewhere between flexibility and uncertainty.
A Lineup in Flux
Redick’s approach has clear upside. He’s building a system that adapts — adjusting to matchups, injuries, and rhythm instead of locking into one rigid five. With a new roster and LeBron James still sidelined, that kind of experimentation makes sense.
But there’s a downside too. Constant rotation changes can disrupt chemistry and rhythm, especially for role players like Vincent, Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt, who thrive on defined roles. Players talk a lot about “comfort” — knowing when and where their shots come, who they’re defending, and which units they’ll close with. Fluctuating lineups make that harder to build.
The Vincent Question
If Redick sticks with Gabe Vincent as the fifth starter, it raises real concerns. A lineup featuring Luka, Reaves, and Vincent is very small. And while Gabe’s shooting can help with spacing, it doesn’t solve the team’s defensive vulnerability on the perimeter or their lack of size.
Vincent has looked confident in his shot this preseason, but his overall Lakers track record hasn’t been consistent. Betting on a hot streak is risky, especially when other options like Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt bring what the team sorely needs: size and defense.
The Case for Smart
Marcus Smart made his case in that same Kings game, turning in his most aggressive, complete performance since joining L.A. He defended multiple positions, hit open shots, and — most importantly — looked like himself again.
If that version of Smart holds up, there’s no question he should be in the starting five. His toughness and versatility could balance Luka’s ball dominance and Ayton’s interior focus, while setting the tone defensively — something the Lakers sorely lacked last season.
Bottom Line
Redick’s indecision isn’t the end of the world and is understandable in this situation. He’s choosing adaptability over defined labels. But at some point, the Lakers will need more than “pretty good ideas.” They’ll need an identity — one that starts with a lineup they can trust.
And if Smart keeps playing like he did in that finale, Redick’s decision might just make itself.
