Way too early prediction for the Lakers 2023-24 starting lineup

Power Forward: Rui Hachimura

Here’s the biggest change from the regular season. Rui Hachimura didn’t start for the Lakers until the very end of the Denver series, but like Austin Reaves, the forward earned himself a mountain of cash with his strong performance in the playoffs. And, like Reaves, Hachimura happens to be a restricted free agent.

The Lakers want to keep both Reaves and Hachimura on the team. That should be the goal. Hachimura’s potential has been brewing for a long time, but the Lakers finally unleashed it. He’s a powerful athlete who can splash 3s and bully smaller defenders in the paint. The Lakers placed Hachimura in a prime position to succeed, attacking seams in the defense created by the gravity of playmakers like LeBron, AD, and Reaves.

Los Angeles can mitigate Hachimura’s limitations as a decision-maker and on-ball creator while benefitting greatly from his athleticism and finishing prowess. He did enough in the postseason to not only earn a hefty raise, but also a spot in the starting five. Developing him as the long-term complement to Anthony Davis should be the priority.

The Lakers will still have Jarred Vanderbilt on the roster next season and he’s a viable, starting-level player. Vanderbilt’s penchant for defensive playmaking is a real asset, but while Hachimura ascended in the playoffs, Vando was essentially phased out of the rotation. His limitations as a shooter were too significant to overcome. The Lakers should prioritize Hachimura with the playoffs in mind, even if the gap between the two feels smaller in the regular season.