Lakers' reported starting lineup decision could backfire

The Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to start Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, to kick off the 2025-26 season.

According to ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin, the Lakers are expected to retain Rui Hachimura in the opening unit, alongside LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and new starting center Deandre Ayton. The decision, if true, could backfire. Hachimura, who started in 57 of his 59 games last season, has grown leaps and bounds as a three-and-D specialist in recent years, but his point-of-attack defense remains a big question mark.  

Lakers defense still a big issue

The 27-year-old Hachimura can hold his own against power forwards and a few wings, but he lacks the foot speed to stay in front of quicker guards. Last season, he struggled when switched onto smaller players, allowing Anthony Edwards to shoot 52.9 percent, Stephen Curry 50 percent, Tyler Herro 83.3 percent and De'Aaron Fox 55.6 percent as the primary defender. 

It's no secret that Reaves and Doncic are subpar point-of-attack defenders, and James, at age 40, can no longer clamp down on elite scorers. As such, Hachimura was forced to guard the opponent's best scorers on a nightly basis last season, a decision that didn't pay off. 

Why Marcus Smart should start

The Lakers — who ranked 17th in defensive rating last season — signed Smart specifically to address their biggest issue. Smart, a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection, guarded up to four different positions during his years with the Boston Celtics, freeing up the star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to dominate on the other end. Smart is expected to play a similar role for Doncic and James.

"I’ve talked with JJ [Redick] and what he expects from me on both ends, especially the defensive end," Smart said, via the Orange County Register. "It's everything I've been doing my whole career. It's nothing new and I remember the first thing he told me was 'hey, if we're going to get the Celtics' Marcus Smart, that's who we want, that's who we need. And we need you to be that person and be who you are.'"

Redick and the Lakers clearly want Smart to replicate his defensive brilliance from his time as a Celtic, but they will be shortchanging him with a bench role. Smart is the kind of player who sets the tone from the moment the ball is tipped in the air, with his energy and ferocity rubbing off on his teammates. If the Lakers truly want to shore up their defense, Smart should be a starter when their season kicks off on Oct. 21.