Rotation Trust Level: Can the Lakers finally string together wins again?
With a starting lineup settled upon, can the Lakers finally go on a winning streak again this season?
After multiple weeks of lineup and rotation shuffling due to injuries, the Lakers got back to as close to normal as possible on Sunday. Along with their core of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers landed on Max Christie as the fifth player.
For one night, at least, it worked like a charm. And if it continues to work, the Lakers might have some consistency that they’ve searched for in the starting lineup and rotation since early in the season.
Not only does it help the starting lineup, it gives the rest of the rotation more regularity, too, which is not something they’ve had over most of the last month. Does that help them find production, too?
Time will tell. But let’s look back over the two games last week to get a sense on if the trust in the non-starters has changed.
Starters: Austin Reaves, Max Christie, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis
D’Angelo Russell
Foul trouble paired with Russell still bein in an absolute slump with his jumper has made his stat line and box scores look pretty rough. As much has I or anyone else may want to argue he’s having a better season than those stats may suggest, you do still have to produce.
It’s tough sledding for D’Lo right now. However, it was roughly this time last season where he went on the run of his life. That’d be a welcome change right about now.
Gabe Vincent
There’s a big difference between the Gabe Vincent that starts and the one that comes off the bench. Our own Darius Soriano discussed that balance the Lakers were struggling to find when he played as a reserve.
They still haven’t found it and, at this point, it seems unlikely they will before trading him in the coming months.
Cam Reddish
One of the biggest benefits of the Lakers getting healthy is that it will mean fewer minutes for Reddish. Unfortunately, there was no update on Jarred Vanderbilt after Tuesday’s practice, which surely means his return isn’t imminent.
So, we’re stuck with Reddish, who has one 3-pointer in his last nine games. He’s attempted 15 in that span.
Oof.
Dalton Knecht
Knecht is no closer to breaking through the rookie wall than he was at this time last week. If anything, he’s worse off as his minutes are dwindling.
If you’re looking for optimism, Christie was in the same position earlier this season and worked his way out of it.
Christian Koloko
Koloko’s ability to just be a net neutral on the court at most times has been underrated this season. If you had said in mid-August that the team would go the better part of a month without either Jaxson Hayes or Christian Wood, it would have been panic stations.
Instead, Koloko has played so well that I’m fully on board with moving either Hayes or Wood if needed at the deadline if needed.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.