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Patrick Beverly picks which one of Marcus Smart or Rui Hachimura should start for LA Lakers

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 4:27 PM ET

Patrick Beverley believes one of Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura brings a much-needed dynamic to the LA Lakers lineup.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a fairly active offseason, making some much-needed signings to improve their roster.

While the Lakers losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Rockets was not an ideal start, they bounced back well enough.

The Lakers quickly signed Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, adding some depth to their much-needed wing and center spots.

But it was the Lakers’ signing of Marcus Smart that made a lot of noise. And now, there are discussions about whether Smart should replace a long-time Lakers starter.

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Patrick Beverley says LA Lakers should start Marcus Smart over Rui Hachimura

Patrick Beverley spoke on his podcast as he looked ahead to the 2025-26 NBA season. When discussing the Los Angeles Lakers, he gave his thoughts.

While Beverley expects Rui Hachimura to start over Marcus Smart, he believes Smart brings them a different defensive dynamic, which could help them massively.

“It’s Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart. I don’t hate that, right? I think you put that out there because you got to put some defense out there.

“I think if you go that, I think you have a chance. I think this is the way it gonna go. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, LeBron James, you go Rui.

“I like that lineup too, but I feel like in order to be like, super competitive, like super duper competitive, like, you have to have a mix.

“You have to have a guard out there that’s willing to guard, guards, like, slide them. And that’s why I think Marcus Smart gives you that edge. I think he’s gonna use Vando as his energy pill off the bench.”