{"id":94235,"date":"2024-09-04T00:40:41","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T04:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=94235"},"modified":"2024-09-04T00:40:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T04:40:41","slug":"should-lakers-start-former-top-10-pick-in-2024-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/04\/should-lakers-start-former-top-10-pick-in-2024-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Lakers Start Former Top-10 Pick In 2024-25?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers change their head coaches like college freshman change majors. However, their brass has started to invest in roster continuity, with all but two of the players from their 15-man roster returning from last season. Of those 13 players, LeBron James<\/a> and Anthony Davis<\/a> have been tenured the longest, at six and five seasons, respectively.<\/p>\n

While the chemistry borne from players growing together doesn\u2019t win championships alone, it\u2019s a common characteristic of teams that go on to win the title. Those teams not only play for one another, they\u2019re better equipped to handle adversity on and off the court. They\u2019ve been through tough moments. They have one another\u2019s best interests at heart. In other words, they\u2019re really a team.<\/em><\/p>\n

Should Lakers Start Former Top-10 Pick In 2024-25?<\/h2>\n

It may not be a bad idea for the Lakers to continue starting D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a> and Austin Reaves<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Like any player, they have their flaws.<\/p>\n

Russell, the 2015 No. 2 pick, runs hot and cold on the court. He can get moody when he doesn\u2019t get his way, airing his grievances<\/a> in the media. This isn\u2019t ideal for a locker room that wants to build trust, let alone minimize headaches.<\/p>\n

Reaves wasn\u2019t really consistent last season, on paper or defense. Compared to last season, his field goal percentage dropped by -4.3 points and his 3-point percentage dropped by -3.1 points. Defensively, he was vulnerable when attacked by athletic guards.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, if L.A. wants to run like a well-oiled machine, their experience starting beside James and Davis can\u2019t be ignored. Neither can their offensive upside, as they\u2019re both pretty skilled. They\u2019re shot-creators with above-average ball-handling and scoring instincts. They\u2019re playmakers who know how to deliver the ball on time and on target.<\/p>\n

Rui Hachimura Fits Just Right<\/h3>\n

If James, Davis, Russell, and Reaves return as starters, it\u2019s possible Cam Reddish<\/a> does as well. The 2019 No. 10 pick, Reddish started in 26 games for the Lakers last season. His on-ball perimeter defense truly came in handy. However, he shot just 33.6 percent from 3, making him more of defensive specialist than 3-and-D archetype.<\/p>\n

What L.A. needs is a player who can make a positive impact on defense while being an efficient 3-point threat. This isn\u2019t to fit a 3-and-D role per se, but to help him play off of James, Davis, Russell, and Reaves. If they excelled as cutters, even better.<\/p>\n

Enter Rui Hachimura<\/a>, who L.A. traded for in 2022-23.<\/p>\n