The Lakers’ starting lineup will already look different with Deandre Ayton at center, but one insider has proposed an intriguing change that leans into the team’s defensive identity.
Lakers Insider Suggests Bold Change for Starting Lineup
Jovan Buha: LA Should Start Marcus Smart
In the latest episode of his podcast, “Buha’s Block,” Lakers insider Jovan Buha discussed the team’s potential starting fives with Tim, an NBA analytics specialist who goes by the pseudonym “Cranjis McBasketball.” Both of them surmised that Marcus Smart could start for LA next season alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Ayton.
Buha agreed with Tim’s assessment that “Smart would take on the perimeter player on the other team.” He added that Smart could either defend opposing guards or wings, both options taking a role that Rui Hachimura had for most of last season.
“I just think from an actual matchup perspective, if you’re going Smart, Rui, LeBron, Luka, you basically have three power forwards out there next to Marcus Smart defensively, versus Austin, who could defend either backcourt spot. … You need another backcourt defender out there, and the other options, I don’t think, have the versatility to scale down to defend ones and twos.”
Tim added that having Smart defend backcourt players would cause Doncic to defend wings instead of point guards, a natural fit considering his size and defensive capabilities.
Lakers Could Pull Off Intriguing Defensive Experiment
The Lakers were willing to change their starting lineups for defense before, and next season—should they choose to start Smart—would be no different. Although Hachimura has made his case to start as a reliable 3-and-D forward, his playing out of position on defense has led to questions over his role next year.
Smart would boost a group full of offensive-minded players and give the Lakers some much-needed point-of-attack defense, especially with his ability to guard multiple positions. That defensive versatility would be critical for a lineup hindered by Doncic and Reaves’ limitations. Putting Smart with the starters would also allow someone like Jarred Vanderbilt—another capable wing stopper—to anchor the second unit’s defense.
Marcus Smart has had a C or better grade among rotation POA & Wing Stopper defenders 6 of the past 8 seasons in ALL of the following areas:
Perimeter Iso D
Ball Screen Nav
Chaser D
Help D
Rim Protection
Post DefenseIncluding each of the past 2 years. ~6 guys per year do on avg
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) August 8, 2025
What About Offense?
Although Smart may not match Hachimura’s scoring output, he can still be a promising facilitator next to three elite scorers and an athletic, bruising big man. Additionally, Smart is a decent shot creator and respectable marksman from three. Despite last year’s 39% mark coming on low volume, he can expect the perimeter looks to increase next to James, Doncic and Reaves. In addition to a blistering defense, Smart would add a unique dimension to a first five that has two future Hall-of-Famers and a breakout third star.
The lineup change could also benefit the Lakers’ bench as much as their starters, with Hachimura’s scoring likely to jolt a second unit that ranked 29th in bench points per game.
The Last Word on Marcus Smart’s Role with the Lakers
Smart’s role in LA is contingent on his health, which has negatively affected his play in the last few seasons. However, his elite defense and playmaking potential give him a worthy case to crack JJ Redick’s starting lineup.
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