Lakers Insider Predicts Surprise Starting Lineup Change

The Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of Marcus Smart is significant, providing the team with a proven player known for playoff experience, toughness, grit, and pedigree. Smart specifically upgrades the team's perimeter defense, addressing a major area of need.

While Smart is expected to be a top-six player, his role as a reserve or starter is debated. Longtime NBA pundit Jovan Buha projects Smart will start ahead of Rui Hachimura.

Hachimura, an integral member of last season's team, brings valued consistency and floor availability. The 6-foot-8 forward has shot over 41% from three-point range for two consecutive seasons while averaging more than 13 points per game. His athleticism, floor-spacing skills (which open lanes for ball-dominant players), excellent cutting, and big postseason moments make him indispensable, offering elements others in the starting lineup lack.

However, the article suggests Hachimura might be best suited as the sixth man coming off the bench, as the projected second unit lacks a consistent scorer. Players like Gabe Vincent (a gritty backup guard), Dalton Knecht (a scorer needing improved consistency), Jake LaRavia (a promising third-year player), and other secondary players (Bronny James, Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes) are not primary scoring options.

Smart is characterized as a true defense-first player. His unique physical dimensions as a burly guard allow him to guard up effectively against taller players, making him theoretically responsible for guarding the opponent's best offensive player. He could fit conventionally next to Austin Reaves. A potential downside of starting Smart over Hachimura is that Hachimura's production could dip with reduced minutes, something the team would need to monitor.