With just one week left before the official opening of the 2025-26 regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are slated to begin their quest to reach the NBA championship without their longtime franchise centerpiece.
The Lakers will endure the absence of LeBron James, who was recently announced dealing with sciatica on his right side. According to multiple reports, the superstar is sidelined for about three to four weeks as he'll recover from the nerve injury.
It was indeed a shocking development around LA as the Lakers are holding such high hopes to compete. With a rejuvenated Luka Doncic leading the way, the Lakeshow desires nothing but ideal health and availability overall.
MORE: Lakers make positive Luka Doncic announcement before fourth preseason game
Lakers insider picks Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt to replace LeBron James in LA starting five
With James inactive for about a month, the Lakers got no choice but to depend on what the rest of their group can offer.
It would be difficult to replace the all-around play and steady presence of the 40-year-old. Nevertheless, Los Angeles still has plenty of role players to rely on who can fill that significant void.
Appearing on the latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show, The Athletic’s Dan Woike has mentioned both Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt as the likely temporary starter who will replace James in the Lakers starting lineup that already features Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura.
“I think it's either [Vanderbilt] or LaRavia,” the longtime Lakers reporter and insider said. “I penciled in LaRavia, I think he's multi-dimensional, sort of like, ‘I can make things better in a bunch of different ways.’
“He probably plays better off the bench in this setting, but it's a real decision. I think Vanderbilt gives you a little more at the point of attack.”
LaRavia, 23, was inked by the Lakers via a two-year, $12 million deal this past offseason. After Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure, he served as one of the key signings made by Rob Pelinka for 3-and-D arsenal. He helped the team’s 126-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors this past weekend’s preseason game, finishing with 11 points, five assists, and four steals.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has been the established ace defender of the Lakers. After injury-plagued campaigns over the past two seasons, he is now fully geared up to contribute, especially in guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter players.
Depending on what they need and the team matchup right in front, both LaRavia and Vanderbilt are solid enforcers already for the Lakers to rely on as they’ll brace for James’ extended absence.
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