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LA Lakers 2025-26 projected starting lineup as Luka Doncic and LeBron James try to win championship with new-look roster

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The LA Lakers have made some new signings this offseason, but is it enough to compete for a championship?

The LA Lakers entered this offseason with perhaps the best building block to construct their roster. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers have the best duo in the NBA.

But things didn’t get off to a great start. Rob Pelinka cost the Lakers Dorian Finney-Smith by lowballing him during negotiations.

They did make things right, as the Lakers signed Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton to address their weaknesses.

On top of that, the Lakers landed Marcus Smart thanks to Luka Doncic. With these new additions, what can we expect from the Lakers next season?

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2025-26 LA Lakers projected starting lineup

The LA Lakers are entering their second season with JJ Redick. With the changes to his roster, he will have to come up with some new strategies.

Fans can expect this to be the starting lineup for the Lakers:

Starting Lineup	Second Unit
Luka Doncic	Marcus Smart
Austin Reaves	Gabe Vincent
LeBron James	Jake LaRavia
Rui Hachimura	Jarred Vanderbilt
Deandre Ayton	Jaxson Hayes

This lineup has definitely resonated across the league. An anonymous NBA executive applauded the Lakers’ signings.

The Lakers know what is on the line for them next season. This is why the Lakers have set goals for Luka Doncic.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James are angling for a championship

The Los Angeles Lakers were blessed this past February when they landed Luka Doncic in a trade that no one in their right mind expected them to pull off.

By pairing Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers put together perhaps the greatest duo in NBA history, at least from a pure talent standpoint.

Unfortunately, last season, the Lakers didn’t have the right players around either star, and they wound up losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Hopefully, the Lakers have addressed their deficiencies in the offseason and have enough to make a serious run at the NBA championship.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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